Meet three SPF officers who were recognised for their outstanding contributions and devotion to duty.
By: Shavina Sri
On 13 November 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) National Day Awards Investiture ceremony was held at Republic Polytechnic. Police Life met three officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) – Station Inspector (SI) Ashok Kumar S/O Velayutham, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joreen Ong and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hamzah Bin Mohamed Hussein – who were recognised for their exceptional contributions in keeping Singapore safe and secure.
SI Ashok: Making an Impact as an Investigator
For SI Ashok, a 24-year veteran with the SPF, policing is about making a real difference in people’s lives. Currently serving as a Senior Investigation Officer (IO) at Woodlands Police Division, the 45-year-old officer conducts investigations with a clear and simple philosophy: understand first, then act.
“I don’t work with the goal of being recognised,” says SI Ashok, one of this year’s recipients of the Efficiency Medal. “I focus on what I need to deliver to the public – helping them, engaging them and guiding them on the right path. As an IO, I know that justice needs to be delivered.”
SI Ashok’s remembers a case when he and his team were involved in tracking down a foreign couple who’d shoplifted items from the gift store at Mandai Zoo. This was a race against time that required the team to act quickly to gather sufficient evidence.
With only CCTV footage to identify the suspects, the team worked methodically to track their movements before intercepting them at Changi Airport just one hour before they were due to depart, recovering the stolen items.
Despite the demanding nature of his work, SI Ashok maintains a careful balance between his professional duties and family life. “There are times when you feel the weight of the work, but I make it a point to be there for my family,” he shares. “I remind myself that while the job is important, my family keeps me grounded.”
This humble, service-oriented outlook is a reflection of his commitment to the community. “The real reward comes from knowing you’ve made a positive impact,” SI Ashok says.
ASP Joreen: Taking Flight with Innovation and Passion
ASP Joreen Ong’s 23-year journey with the SPF reflects the evolution of policing. Over the decades, her enjoyment of her work has evolved into a passion.
As a Capability Development Officer under the Home Team Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Command, ASP Joreen plays an important role in developing UAV capabilities for the SPF to enhance public safety, for example, by supporting patrols at residential estates.
“Our UAVs are fitted with blinkers to project Police presence and support ground officers, watching over key locations from above,” explained ASP Joreen. “This allows us to quickly detect suspicious activity and respond before suspects can commit crimes.”
UAVs are also used during major events like the National Day Parade and Marina Bay Singapore Countdown. With thermal cameras, they give the Police a clear view of crowds, even in the dark, and help identify areas where crowds are too dense. Equipped with spotlights, speakers and blinkers, the UAVs allow the Police to broadcast safety messages or emergency instructions to the public.
ASP Joreen’s journey in developing UAV technology for policing taught her to push boundaries. When she first started, there was uncertainty about the technology, with few guidelines to follow. “UAVs were a relatively new concept in Singapore, and it was challenging to convince others of their potential,” ASP Joreen recounted, “but I’ve learnt that each failure is an opportunity to learn and improve.”
Her story shows the determination needed to break new ground. “I’m honoured to receive the Efficiency Medal this year,” said ASP Joreen. “It reminds me of how much I still have to learn and motivates me to work harder!”
DSP Hamzah: Safeguarding Singapore’s Aviation Gateway
With over 26 years of service, DSP Hamzah has dedicated his career to protecting Changi Airport, Singapore’s primary international gateway, as an officer with Airport Police Division (APD). Starting as a patrol officer in 1999, he has witnessed and contributed to the transformation of airport security, especially after the September 11 attacks.
Now an Operations Officer (Planning and Readiness), DSP Hamzah helps to develop and maintain operational plans for Changi Airport’s security. His duties include managing the deployment of Police Patrol Robots to coordinating and executing security measures for major events undertaken by the APD.
“The world’s best airport deserves our best effort,” DSP Hamzah often says, embodying the pride he takes in his work. “This means we have to keep up with evolving threats and proactively address challenges in our field.”
DSP Hamzah also works with the relevant airport stakeholders to stay ahead of new security threats and coordinate cross-border security operations: “This collaboration is vital in ensuring that Singapore continues to be a global leader in aviation security.”
DSP Hamzah feels grateful and proud to receive the Commendation and Long Service Medals, an achievement that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of his family, supervisors and colleagues. “Being recognised with these two medals is a humbling acknowledgment of my efforts,” he shared. “This motivates me to continue contributing to our mission with even greater commitment!”
MHA National Day Awards Investiture 2024
A total of 981 awards were presented to Home Team officers at the MHA National Day Awards Investiture on 13 November 2024 at Republic Polytechnic. This year, 63 Commendation Medals and 253 Efficiency Medals were awarded to outstanding officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism in the course of duty. Long Service Medals were also awarded to Home Team officers, Home Team National Service officers and Volunteer Special Constabulary officers who have completed at least 25 years of continuous service. Congratulations to all award recipients!
Read the speech by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, here.
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