From patrolling neighbourhoods to managing large-scale security operations, SUPT (NS) Pow Choon Wee and his team at Woodlands Police Division play a crucial role in maintaining law and order.
After completing his 10-year National Service (NS) stint in 2020, SUPT (NS) Pow Choon Wee chose to continue serving under the Extension of Operationally Ready National Service Scheme — a decision driven by his deep appreciation for the NS experience that shaped him.
“NS made me who I am today,” he shares. “I enjoy meeting objectives and managing tasks like security deployments. My experiences from NS have had a profound impact on me, which makes me want to continue contributing back to the NS community.”
Now 36, Choon Wee serves as the (NS) Deputy Head of Operations at Woodlands Police Division. He works alongside a team of 15 NS Commanding Officers to manage the operational readiness of around 1,500 SPF NSmen in the Divisional Security Task Troops and NS Community Policing Unit. Here’s how he and his fellow Singapore Police Force (SPF) NSmen help keep our nation safe — both on the frontline and behind the scenes.
Photo Credit: Joe Eng
Police National Service (PNS) Officers keep the community safe and orderly through anti-crime patrols in public spaces such as shopping malls, helping to deter shop theft and other offences. They also conduct door-to-door visits in residential estates and migrant worker dormitories to share crime prevention tips on concerns like scams and unlicensed moneylending.
Choon Wee recalls how some migrant domestic workers were initially hesitant to speak with SPF officers. “But at the end of the conversation, they are thankful for the advice,” he says. “By showing that the police are here to advise them, we are engaging them on their safety and helping them to feel less foreign in our land.”
Photo Credit: Soh Ying Jie
From General Elections to festive celebrations, SPF NSmen provide essential support in areas such as crowd control, traffic management, and public safety. During the 2024 Woodgrove Estate Halloween Party – which drew an estimated 1,000 attendees – Choon Wee, and his team of NS Commanding Officers stepped it up a notch and took charge of security planning for the first time.
“Pre-ops planning involves multiple steps,” he explains. They include consulting SPF regular officers who were involved in previous deployments, conducting ground recces and walkthroughs, meeting up with community partners, developing detailed operations plans, and addressing the past year’s after-action review points.
Despite the steep learning curve, Choon Wee and his team successfully executed the deployment, with planning completed in about 2½ months. “Through meticulous preparation, collaboration with stakeholders, and iterative problem-solving, we mustered our courage to overcome the challenges,” he reflects. “This event marked a significant milestone in our growth as NS leaders and paved the way for us to take the lead in similar future events.”
Photo Credit: Eden Cheong
SPF NSmen frequently coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including other government agencies and security forces. At Jurong Police Division, where he previously served as an Inspector (NS), Choon Wee worked with Auxiliary Police Officers (APOs) from AETOS Security during the busy Qing Ming Festival, ensuring smooth traffic control along the main road outside Choa Chu Kang Cemetery.
“During such a collaboration, the ground IC for both SPF and AETOS will have a ‘handshake’ meet up,” he says. “This helps both agencies to stay aligned and reduce duplication of duties, which leads to optimised outcomes.” Choon Wee adds that since Qing Ming is an annual event, the camaraderie developed over the years between SPF and AETOS has fostered smoother communication and a more effective collaboration.
Similarly, when briefing his own team for large-scale deployments, Choon Wee applies lessons from his full-time job as a technology risk analyst in the financial industry. “The ability to simplify complex concepts into layman’s terms is very valuable,” he says. “It helps in briefing NS officers as we can digest the plan and break it down into actionable instructions.”
Photo Credit: Omar B Hitam
Operational readiness isn’t just about planning — it requires physical preparedness too. To stay fit and meet IPPT standards, Choon Wee finds time to exercise after his three children are asleep. “My wife and I will do vertical training for endurance,” he says. “We do five rounds of climbing the stairs from the first floor to the 15th floor, three times a week. A month or two before the IPPT, I will go on regular runs around the neighbourhood.”
Staying in shape and being operationally ready is essential, as SPF NSmen patrol dynamic environments where situations can escalate quickly. “Anything can happen, and we may encounter situations where we must use necessary force for public safety. We always have to expect the unexpected,” says Choon Wee.
Photo Credit: Soh Ying Jie
Juggling NS responsibilities, a full-time career, part-time studies, and family life requires sacrifice and careful time management. “When I need to catch up on planning, I’ll try to take half an hour on the weekend at most and then cook something for my wife as a thank-you for being so understanding,” says Choon Wee. “And because there is a small element of risk when we get deployed, I also try to reassure her that I will come home safely from patrolling.”
Choon Wee highlights that the SPF operates round the clock to safeguard Singapore’s residents. “I’m thankful for my fellow NSmen as well as SPF regulars, who work tirelessly throughout the day and night shifts,” he says. “One thing I’d like to share with the public is that safety is not just in the hands of the SPF — it’s a shared community responsibility. Civilians play a critical role in crime prevention. By working together, we can build a safer society.”
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