With three decades in the Force, Supt Cindy New has dedicated over 25 years to investigations. In this feature, she shares the challenges, responsibilities, and invaluable lessons from her career.
By: Brenda Teo and Daenia Lim
Greeting us with a bright smile, the Head Investigation of Traffic Police (TP) Superintendent (Supt) Cindy New, warmly welcomed us into her office at the TP Headquarters before recounting her 30-year-long career with the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
Having spent more than 25 years in the investigation fraternity including her previous role as the Head Investigation of Jurong Police Division, we wondered what drives her every day. We were sure she had seen and handled many different types of cases in her illustrious career.
“As cliché as it may sound, every case we handle is unique. Each accident scene presents a grim reality – twisted metal, injured victims, and sometimes, lives lost. Our job is to fact-find and uncover what happened by reconstructing the events, viewing camera footages and speaking to witnesses. Not just to determine who is at fault, but also to understand if we can prevent such accidents from happening again.”
“Beyond the technical investigations, the emotional toll on my investigation officers can be immense. They are often the ones who need to deliver the hardest news to families, telling them that their loved one isn’t coming home. No amount of experience prepares you for that. Hence, I place great emphasis on the welfare and mental well-being of my officers to ensure they are well taken care of.”
It was clear that her care for her officers was not all talk as her office walls were adorned with named photographs of her officers, a testament to her commitment to their personal and professional growth.
Adding on, Supt New shared: “Road safety isn’t just about enforcing laws. Behaviour of the road users play a very important part. One moment of carelessness can change lives forever. So please drive responsibly, follow the rules and think about the lives around you.”
Before we left, we asked for her advice to young officers in the Force. “Stay focused on our mission. Do your best in every task you are assigned to and take charge of your career by having regular talks with your supervisors to unleash your potential.”
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