Discover how three SPF TransCom officers balance their football passion with teamwork on patrol, keeping the city safe while scoring goals in life.
Even though they have a shared love for football, Public Transport Security Command (TransCom) officers SC/SGT Jasdeen Mohamed, SC/SGT Rakim Shalla, and SC/CPL Muhammad Iskandar Bin Ishak often engage in “heated” exchanges. Their friendly rivalry is rooted in their support for different English Premier League (EPL) clubs — Jasdeen, 21, is a passionate Liverpool fan, while Rakim, 20, and Iskandar, 22, are die-hard supporters of Manchester United. “What makes it fun is that both teams are rivals,” said Rakim. “Both Iskandar and Jasdeen constantly debate over which team is playing better during EPL matches.”
Despite their banter, the trio agrees that Lionel Messi is among the greatest players of all time. The officers play football together at least once a fortnight, either at Woodlands Base or HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok’s Futsal Court, which is close to all their homes.
When the three play football, they push each other to be better players by pointing out areas for improvement. Their ability to communicate and put the team’s needs above their own has strengthened their bond both on and off the field. This camaraderie has translated into their work as TransCom officers, where clear communication and teamwork are crucial.
“When we respond to incidents, we naturally assign ourselves roles in order to make things more efficient and to help settle the issue as quickly as possible. For instance, if I was approached by a member of the public who doesn’t speak English or Malay, Rakim or Jasdeen would step in, as they can converse in Mandarin and Tamil respectively,” explained Iskandar.
As TransCom officers and foot patrol leaders, their primary duty is to ensure the safety of Singapore’s public transport network by patrolling MRT stations. They respond to various cases, from locating missing persons and handling shop thefts and disputes to rendering medical assistance. They are also deployed at major events such as Formula 1 and the National Day Parade, as well as during festive celebrations like Christmas and New Year’s Day.
“We respond to various types of cases daily. It’s our duty to protect the public transport and deter crime,” said Jasdeen.
“Leading a team and responding to incidents can be demanding. But when we receive appreciation from the public or help restore peace, it’s incredibly fulfilling,” said Rakim. He added that “It’s also rewarding to share knowledge with my juniors and witness how they improve over time.”
(From left to right) SC/SGT Rakim Shalla, SC/SGT Jasdeen Mohamed, and SC/CPL Muhammad Iskandar Bin Ishak during their patrols.
TransCom is a specialist unit in the Singapore Police Force (SPF) that relies heavily on NSFs. Building strong bonds between juniors and seniors is essential for the unit to function smoothly. Jasdeen highlighted the importance of mentorship in ensuring new officers are prepared for their duties. “Mentors help new officers gain confidence and understand their responsibilities,” said Jasdeen. He credits his teammates, Rakim and Iskandar, for helping him learn the ropes and gain essential knowledge during his early days in the unit.
One notable incident that tested their teamwork was the train disruption on the East West Line that happened on 25 September 2024. Stationed at Jurong East MRT, the trio coordinated their teams to manage crowd control and provide directions to stranded commuters. “The three of us coordinated and decided to split ourselves up at the platforms and concourse level so as to cover a wider area,” recalled Jasdeen. “We projected our voices to raise awareness of the bridging bus locations and the possible routes that the public could take to reach their destinations. I’m glad I was able to help during this major disruption with Rakim and Iskandar,” added Jasdeen.
Throughout their NS journey, cohesion and other significant activities that TransCom organises help to foster a sense of camaraderie among the trio which extends to their fellow officers. “We participated in a cohesive 4km run at Bedok Reservoir and also exercise sessions after in-service training. I have fun exercising and running together as a team as I get to see another side of them and engage in meaningful conversations,” Jasdeen recounted. “Another highlight was the TransCom Appreciation Night. It showed me a non-operational perspective of the people I work with, and I was able to engage in casual conversations with my team and strengthen bonds with them simultaneously,” he added.
The trio’s teamwork isn’t limited to football; they also hit the gym together, where they motivate one another to push through challenging workouts. “Going to the gym builds trust and empathy,” said Iskandar. “We encourage each other and offer advice on how to improve. Fitness is crucial in our job, especially when assisting someone with a medical emergency,” he added.
Their dedication has paid off. Thanks to the workouts and the continued encouragement of Jasdeen and Rakim, Iskandar was recognised with the Commander’s Award for best improvement in IPPT for his intake. He was also part of the TransCom team that won a gold medal during a recent Police Sports Association football tournament. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned from TransCom is how to be the best version of myself and a leader my team can rely on,” said Iskandar.
Rakim and Jasdeen have also received recognition for their leadership. Rakim was presented with the Outstanding Performance Award, while Jasdeen, who was named the Best Trainee in the 190th intake during the TransCom Basic Course, received the Outstanding PNSF Award for his intake in October 2024.
(From left to right) SC/CPL Muhammad Iskandar Bin Ishak, SC/SGT Jasdeen Mohamed, and SC/SGT Rakim Shalla at TransCom Woodlands Base.
While formal recognition is rewarding, the trio’s respect and admiration for one another is perhaps the greatest accolade. “Rakim and Jasdeen are both disciplined officers who give their best no matter the circumstances,” said Iskandar.
“Rakim is a dedicated and motivated officer who can command the team, delegate roles, and write a good First Information Report!” said Jasdeen. “Meanwhile, Iskandar is a confident leader and good with public engagement. He often encourages the public to sign up as Riders on Watch (ROW) under the Community Watch Scheme (CWS),” Jasdeen added.
The ROW network was launched in 2019 with the aim of preventing crime within the public land transport network. Commuters are roped in as ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground during their daily commute, as an extension to the Singapore Police Force’s overall strategy in combating crime and terrorism. ROW has subsumed as an interest group under the Community Watch Scheme and has more than 8,000 members. Sign up for the ROW here and let’s all pitch in to build a stronger, safer community for all.
Reflecting on their shared journey, Rakim said, “The memories we’ve created at the football field and on patrol will always be cherished. I’m certain we’ll stay in touch and continue to hang out even after our NS journey ends.”
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