Be A Guardian spotlights exciting career, scholarship and sponsorship opportunities in the Home Team.

It takes tenacity and a meticulous attention to detail to be an Investigation Officer with the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). And what keeps Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Goh Pei Ying going is her knowledge of the harm caused by drugs, and her unwavering belief in the mission of the Home Team.
 

Tell us about your work with the CNB. 
My first appointment was with the CNB’s Enforcement Division, and my work involved gathering intelligence related to drug activities, as well as conducting operations against drug offenders. I witnessed the harmful consequences of drug abuse, not only in the lives of abusers, but also in the environment that their children had to grow up in. This gave me a great sense of mission in my work.

I’m currently an Investigation Officer. My work involves interviewing accused persons and witnesses, as well as collecting physical, forensic or digital evidence, to establish the full facts of a case.

As Investigation Officers, we must be impartial, accountable and principled, in order to maintain public trust in our justice system. We also have to be meticulous because the chain of evidence has to be properly documented to ensure transparency and accountability.

Why did you join the Home Team?
Our mission is to uphold the safety and security of Singapore, and that’s something that drives me. A career in the Home Team is also very dynamic and challenging as we deal with very real and complex issues that affect the lives of Singaporeans.

I’m the only member of the Home Team in my family. But it was my father’s ambition to be a Police officer, and my parents have been very supportive of my work.



What are some of the challenges that Investigation Officers face? 
Investigative work may seem rather technical and procedural, but it requires creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. We have to consider how to best use the tools we have – such as conducting interviews, taking statements and using forensics – in order to obtain evidence, especially from places where we’d least expect to find it.

Another challenge is dealing with the family members of accused persons, especially first-time or young drug offenders. This is because the family members are either in denial or shock, and it takes effort to help them understand and accept the situation. 

In one particular case, the mother of a young drug offender was, understandably, very emotional when she found out that her son had been abusing drugs. It took some time for me and my fellow officers to calm her down. Drug abuse doesn’t just destroy the life of an abuser, it also has negative consequences on families and the community at large. 

What advice do you have for those considering a career in the Home Team? 
You have to consider if your personal values and goals align with those of the Home Team. Our work is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding, with long hours. You need to believe in what you do, as that will see you through the challenges of the job.

What do you love about your work as a Home Team officer? 
Home Team officers work to ensure the safety and security of Singapore. I have a very strong sense of mission, and also confidence that our work makes a very real and immediate difference in the lives of Singaporeans. 

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Be A Guardian
Turning the spotlight on exciting career, scholarship and sponsorship opportunities in the Home Team: 
Be A Guardian: Serving with Heart (SPF)
Be A Guardian: A Calling to Serve (SPS) 
Be A Guardian: In the Heart of the Action (SCDF)
Be A Guardian: An Eye for Investigations (CNB)
Be A Guardian: One Job, Many Facets (CNB)
Be A Guardian: Making an Impact Where It Counts (SPF)
Be A Guardian: Pushing Herself to Her Limit (SPF)
Be A Guardian: Having a Heart for Those in Need (SCDF)
Be A Guardian: Guiding Inmates onto the Right Path (SPS)
Be A Guardian: Ever Vigilant (ICA)
Be A Guardian: Turning Helplessness to Hope (SPF)
Be A Guardian: Engineering a Fresh Start (MHA)
Be A Guardian: One with the Community (SPF)
Be A Guardian: Empowering Inmates on Their Rehabilitation Journey (SPS)

A Career in the Home Team
If you’re keen to learn more about becoming a Home Team Guardian, visit the MHA website.