As an investigator in the Specialised Crime Branch, Insp Bryan Ang is driven by a powerful mission to safeguard children and deliver justice.
By: Christabelle Lim
For Inspector (Insp) Bryan Ang, the call to join the Singapore Police Force (SPF) came from an unexpected place – a recruitment poster at a bus stop. The tagline, “The reason why you sleep peacefully at night,” struck a chord with him.
This moment was the start of a 17-year career dedicated to safeguarding the vulnerable and pursuing justice in the shadows of the digital world.
Finding His Calling
Insp Ang began his policing journey in 2007. After a term at the Training Command, he was posted to Tanglin Police Division and later to the Geylang Enforcement Task Force, where his duties included conducting enforcements on vice activities. It was in 2011, when he joined the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), that he found his calling.
Today, as a Senior Investigation Officer (SIO) with the CID’s Specialised Crime Branch (SCB), Insp Ang plays a critical role in investigating crimes that exploit the vulnerable. As a member of the Vice and Sex Trafficking Investigation Team, he investigates cases involving trafficking-in-persons, vice syndicates, commercial sex with minors, and offences related to Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM).
In 2020, when amendments to Singapore’s Penal Code were made to criminalise CSAM-specific offences, SCB officers underwent additional specialised training to take on the expanded responsibilities. The psychological toll of such work was also recognised, with greater emphasis placed on officers’ well-being. “This role is not for everyone,” Insp Ang explains. “There are nights when the images stay with you.”
Relentless in the Pursuit of Justice
According to Insp Ang, the Internet has enabled the widespread dissemination of CSAM, and combating this threat requires close collaboration between law enforcement agencies around the world. Following a joint cross-border enforcement operation in February and March 2024, the team seized a number of devices containing thousands of illicit files. What followed was a painstaking process of reviewing the seized materials to identify victims and perpetrators.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling of looking at such materials,” Insp Ang says quietly. “There’s anger, sadness, and sometimes even a sense of helplessness. But we know that every lead we pursue brings us one step closer to saving a child or stopping a perpetrator.”
Constantly Learning and Growing
SCB officers conducting these sensitive investigations receive specialised training from experts in the field. SCB officers also regularly attend overseas training courses, building strong global networks with international counterparts to combat transnational CSAM crimes more effectively.
In recent years, the SPF has partnered with the United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to organise regional forums on child sexual exploitation investigation and enforcement. Led by forensic interview and victim care specialists, the 2024 HSI-SPF Child Forensic Interview Regional Workshop allowed SCB officers to sharpen their interview techniques while maintaining a victim-centric approach to better support victims. The participation of foreign officers from Brunei, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand allowed SCB officers to share best practices and form an ecosystem of Child Forensic Interviewers in the region.
“The joy of seeing a victim regain their confidence and begin the journey of recovery – it’s indescribable,” Insp Ang reflects. “It reminds me why I joined the SPF in the first place – to make a difference.”
Protecting the Vulnerable
Beyond enforcement, Insp Ang believes it’s crucial for the public to be aware of the dangers of online child sexual exploitation. Offenders often create fake social media profiles to approach victims, using grooming tactics to manipulate them into sharing explicit content.
Once shared, such content spreads rapidly across messaging platforms. “With just a smartphone and Internet access, perpetrators can easily reach potential victims,” he warns.
As a father of two young children, Insp Ang feels the weight of his work even more acutely. “It really breaks my heart seeing children getting abused,” he shares.
Insp Ang finds strength in his colleagues, who share his mission to safeguard children. “I’m very fortunate to be part of a branch that truly understands and supports each other,” he says. “This work is never easy, but it is a meaningful role.”
Recognising the emotional demands of the job, the SPF also offers a range of psychological support measures to officers, from psychologists and paracounsellors to mental health resources. “Knowing that there’s someone we can talk to, whether it’s a colleague or a psychologist, makes all the difference,” he shares.
For Insp Ang, what began as a fleeting encounter with a Police recruitment poster has become a career dedicated to pursuing justice: “Our work may often occur away from the public eye, but every victim we rescue and every offender we stop – it’s a step towards a safer world.”
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