Shooting for Success: Making Marksmen with Cutting-Edge Technology

Written by Home Team Academy

PHOTO: Singapore Police Force. GRAPHIC: Luc Yeo

While Senior Staff Sergeant (SSSGT) Nur Hassan Bin Mohamed Raffie is responsible for marksmanship training, he believes that an officer’s capabilities do not revolve around their firearm proficiency alone.  

As he sees it, “Your best weapon is a mindset of continuous improvement” – and this applies whether you’re one of his trainees, or a Division Training Officer like himself.  

That is why even after 16 years of service in the Singapore Police Force – the last six of which he spent as a trainer in Jurong Police Division – SSSGT Nur Hassan continues to expand his bag of tools for learner engagement and training effectiveness. 

He credits this philosophy to the trainers who’ve come before him: “I was fortunate enough to be inspired by my past mentors and seasoned trainers in the division, who had instilled in me the need for training to be both rigorous and relevant.”

SSSGT Nur Hassan (right) guides officers during firearms training sessions, reinforcing focus and fundamentals. PHOTO: Singapore Police Force

Giving Learners Ammunition for Improvement with Technology 

The latest piece of game-changing weaponry in SSSGT Nur Hassan’s pedagogical arsenal: cutting-edge training tools like the Mantis X10 system. The nifty sensor attaches directly to firearms, where it provides real-time data on grip stability, trigger pull and follow-through.  

This data doesn’t sit in a vacuum – it provides instant, nuanced feedback for learners beyond what trainers can spot with their naked eye. This allows trainees to adjust and improve their weapon handling with every shot, resulting in a significant 12% dip in firearm failures, and a corresponding 13% rise in Marksman ratings.

A demonstration of the Mantis X10 system, giving officers real-time feedback to refine their technique. PHOTO: Singapore Police Force

He says, “I loved those ‘lightbulb moments’ when officers finally get it, whether during a shooting drill or a fitness session. Using real-time feedback helped them correct flaws they did not even know they had, and that instant progress was huge for their confidence.” 

Beyond improving trainees’ accuracy on the range, SSSGT Nur Hassan also made use of the Laser Academy Training Platform to simulate real-life shooting scenarios in a controlled training environment.  

Laser cartridges and gamified time- or accuracy-based challenges help officers hone weapon handling skills like target transitions, drawing their weapon from its holster and precision shooting in a practical situation, while also serving as a source of motivation and friendly competition.  

These technologies – implemented in tandem with the Home Team’s wider push toward virtual reality and extended reality training environments – reinforce the knowledge learners attain from standard classroom lectures, turning theory into swift, precise action informed by realistic practice. 

SSSGT Nur Hassan says, “This shift is not just about new tools, it is about meeting new challenges. Crime and threats are changing fast, and we are making sure Home Team officers do not just keep up – they stay ahead.”

SSSGT Nur Hassan reviewing performance insights to strengthen his trainee’s readiness. PHOTO: Singapore Police Force

No Silver Bullets in Training 

For his part, SSSGT Nur Hassan has also stuck to his guns on continuous personal improvement. He credits courses like the Home Team Academy’s (HTA) Upgrading Professionally through Specialist Certificate in Adult Learning Education (UP-SCALE) Programme for his solid foundation in instructional techniques and engagement strategies with learners. 

His enduring commitment to providing rigorous, relevant training was recognised at the Home Team Training Excellence Awards Ceremony 2025. He was one of 18 trainers across 10 units to be commended for his contributions towards shaping the Home Team’s frontline readiness and operational excellence. 

Moving forward, SSSGT Nur Hassan is excited to participate in advanced “train-the-trainer” programmes by HTA. He also hopes to see more partnerships between the academy and technology innovators to “ensure that our training remains current and recognised internationally”. 

He reflects, “At the end of the day, the standout moments for me will always be watching people grow – not just in skill, but in mindset. That is what being a trainer is all about.” 

Perhaps that is why he now hopes to follow in his mentors’ footsteps by inspiring the next generation of HT trainers. His advice to younger officers: “Stay curious. Embrace every tool, every scenario, every debrief. Training never stops – because threats evolve.”