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Be A Guardian: A Focus on People, from the Ground to Policymaking

Working with fellow officers to build partnerships with the community.
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GRAPHIC: Phylicia Poon

Be A Guardian showcases fulfilling career, scholarship and sponsorship opportunities in the Home Team.

Having joined the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in 2016, Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Gregory Kang has served various ground postings, investigated crimes and implemented support schemes to help offenders turn their lives around. In January 2020, DSP Gregory assumed his new role as Commanding Officer (Designate) of Kampong Java Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC). He’s also proud to serve as an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the President of Singapore since 2017. 

What motivated you to join the Home Team?
In my younger years, I’d been a little bit more mischievous, but taking on student leadership roles at Victoria Junior College and serving as a Cadet Inspector with the National Police Cadet Corps made me realise that I enjoyed helping the people around me. I wanted a fast-paced, people-oriented career that was very hands-on in terms of solving issues. I was already familiar with a Police officer’s job and found it very dynamic and impactful. Hence, I decided to apply to the Force. 

Tell us about your journey with SPF.
Upon graduation from the Senior Officer Basic Course, I began my career as an Investigation Officer with Bedok Police Division in April 2016 and completed a stint in patrolling before serving as a Staff Officer with the Criminal Investigation Department’s Research & Planning Division in 2018. This month, I assumed my current role as Commanding Officer (Designate) of Kampong Java NPC.

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From the ground to policymaking, and back: DSP Gregory at Kampong Java NPC. PHOTO: Ashley Tuen

What are some of your responsibilities at work?
As Commanding Officer, I oversee the Policing work within the NPC’s jurisdiction.My duties include developing strategies with the community to prevent crimes. I'm also responsible for the officers under my charge, in matters such as their discipline, career development and learning needs.

Previously, my role at CID involved driving the development of investigations-related laws and policies. For example, certain crimes may arise due to socio-economic causes. To reduce re-offending in such cases, we worked with the Ministry of Social and Family Development to develop the Home Team Community Assistance and Referral Scheme (HT CARES). The HT CARES pilot programme was implemented in January 2019 and full-time social workers are deployed at Bedok Police Division to link offenders with social services during the investigation process.

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Representing SPF with pride at a State function in May 2017, when he was an Assistant Superintendent; DSP Gregory is now into his third year as an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the President. PHOTO: Gregory Kang

What does job fulfilment mean to you?
It’s about working together with my officers to build partnerships with our community and achieving outcomes beneficial to it. Besides my regular duties as a Police officer, I’m also serving my third year as an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the President of Singapore. Some of the events that I’ve participated in include the National Day Investiture, the National Day Reception and various State functions. It’s a meaningful secondary role because I get to contribute to the President’s Office while representing SPF. 

What’s one thing about your work that you’d like the public to know?
The public tends to see Policing as only being about investigations and patrol duties. But it’s more than that. There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that SPF continues developing relationships, capabilities and technologies that keep Singapore safe and secure. 
 

Be A Guardian of Our Home
A recipient of the Singapore Merit Scholarship (SPF), DSP Gregory Kang studied Law at King’s College London and was also awarded the Juris Doctor from Columbia University

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PHOTO: Ashley Tuen

Keen to become a Home Team Guardian? Visit the MHA Careers webpage to find out more about available Scholarship and Sponsorship opportunities.
- Be A Guardian: Building Up the Home Team
Be A Guardian: When Values and Vocation are Aligned
- Be A Guardian: More than Just Investigations
- Be A Guardian: At the Forefront of Life-saving Innovation

Written by

Ashley Tuen

Published

13 January 2020

Topics
Careers
Scholarships
SPF
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