Together, as One Home Team

GRAPHIC: Toh Rui Hao. PHOTOS: Toh Rui Hao, Rasidi Rahim, Tan Zhong Jun Baron, Zakaria Bin Abdul Razak

On Patrol, In Control

Special Constabulary Constable (SC) Daniel Izzat Roslee is halfway through his National Service stint, serving the country as a Police Tactical Trooper in the Special Operations Command. Since the NDP National Education shows started, troopers like SC Daniel patrolled the vicinity of the Padang on each show day, ready to respond to public order and public security threats.

SC Daniel Izzat Roslee (centre), Police Tactical Unit, Special Operations Command, Singapore Police Force. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao

Q: How does it feel to be contributing to the security of NDP?
A: “It is an honour and it’s really special to me - I was a spectator last year; But this year, I’m on the opposite end, protecting the spectators and serving the nation.”

SC Daniel (left) in his full gear with a HK-MP5 in hand, during a Stand-To exercise - an exercise to ensure the officers’ readiness before their deployment. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao

SC Daniel and the other troopers deployed for the day start preparations bright and early. After loading up their armaments and equipment, they proceeded to an area near Padang and stood by for their deployment. Each column of troopers patrolled the Padang’s vicinity on a rotational basis. At the end of the day, the troop would conduct an After-Action Review (AAR) to identify areas for improvement. 

SC Daniel’s (left) column patrolled the immediate surroundings of the Padang. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao

Lesser-known fact: Each Police Tactical Trooper always carries up to 20kg of gear. In the event of responding to a public security incident, the Troopers would switch from their patrolling gear to full gear in a matter of seconds.  

SC Daniel relaying patrol information to his colleague who is taking over the patrol duty. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao

Q: What do you find rewarding about your involvement with NDP?

A: “To be able to do my part in ensuring the safety and security of thousands of people celebrating our nation’s birthday is very rewarding. I would have completed my National Service before NDP rehearsals in the beginning of 2025. Hence, I cherish every moment of this deployment and I will perform my duties to my very best.”

Showcase of our Preparedness

This year’s Total Defence 40 Dynamic Defence Display (D3) segment showcased how the different pillars of Total Defence, including various Home Team agencies, respond to various threats to Singapore’s safety.

In her first NDP deployment as an SCDF officer (she made a mid-career switch to SCDF), Lieutenant (LTA) Priscilla Chai depicted the Rota Commander of the Electric Pump Ladder (E-PL) in one of the D3 scenarios. The E-PL is the first electric firefighting vehicle in Southeast Asia, and one of five assets that made their NDP debut.

LTA Priscilla Chai, Rota Commander, Singapore Civil Defence Force. PHOTO: Rasidi Rahim

Q: How did you become a D3 participant?

A: “SCDF called for nominations for officers to participate in this year’s D3 show. Knowing that this was an invaluable opportunity, I quickly indicated my interest and was very fortunate to be chosen.”

LTA Priscilla (left-most in white helmet) in action amongst the mock rubble in the D3 showcase. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao.

Officers from different agencies worked seamlessly together during the D3, but it actually required a lot of ground coordination between the agencies and even with SCDF’s various units such as the paramedics and Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team. 

LTA Priscilla also ensured SCDF officers’ safety during the showcase. For example, she kept an eye on the Unmanned Firefighting Machine (UFM) during each performance, so that it did not collide into any officer while it was being navigated around the performance area. During the rehearsals, she made several adjustments to the movements and positions of both the officers and UFM to keep everyone safe.

Beyond showcasing SCDF’s capabilities during the D3 segment, LTA Priscilla led equipment checks before the show and conducted AARs with the team after the show.

LTA Priscilla conducting equipment checks with her team. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao

Fun Fact: All SCDF D3 performers were from different fire stations, with the exception of the officers manning the Electric Pump Ladder with LTA Priscilla - who were from the same Division. This meant that the officers had to build up mutual understanding over multiple weeks of rehearsals, so that they are all on the same page during the performance.

Since June, performers attended a weekday rehearsal on top of the Saturday rehearsals. The weekday rehearsals sometimes occurred on LTA Priscilla’s off-duty days or even hours after her normal shift ended. “I have very supportive and understanding boss and colleagues who check in on me with small gestures like buying me snacks,” said LTA Priscilla.

LTA Priscilla (in white helmet) leading the deployment of the UFM during the D3 segment rehearsal. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao

Q: What was rewarding about your involvement in the D3?

A: “As the show involved many officers from different Home Team departments, we get a lot of time to bond with each other during and between rehearsals. This is really rewarding for me as I really enjoy meeting new people. When we chat during our rest time, I gain deeper insights into how the different agencies work.”

Priscilla and the rest of the E-PL crew are happy to have befriended officers from other agencies over the numerous weeks of NDP rehearsals. PHOTOS: Toh Rui Hao

The Young Volunteers

In parallel, the young bloods of the SCDF were also practicing tirelessly for their NDP appearance.

The National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) is a youth National Uniformed Group initiated by Ministry of Home Affairs and widely offered as a CCA in many secondary schools throughout Singapore.

Leading the NCDCC marching contingent this year is Senior Cadet Lieutenant (SCLT) Juston Tan Jia Rong, who has volunteered with NCDCC for three years. He was a cadet leader during his secondary school days.

SCLT Juston Tan (front row, fourth from the left), Contingent Commander, National Civil Defence Cadet Corps with other youth group contingent commanders. PHOTO: Poh Jinn Yang

Q: What made you volunteer with the NCDCC?
A: “I volunteered to be a Cadet Lieutenant as I want to inspire and mentor younger cadets and impart my firefighting and life-saving knowledge to them. After my fellow SCLT Mirianne Loh (pictured above, seated to Juston’s right) recommended me, I decided to try for the role of Contingent Commander.

SCLT Juston in discussion with NDP Trainers in between rehearsals. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao

As Contingent Commander, SCLT Juston’s main task was to lead the contingent of NCDCC cadets on the Padang, ensuring their drills were up to standard as well as taking care of their welfare. During rehearsals, he often reminded the cadets to be confident and stay hydrated.

Some challenges he had to overcome included staying in sync with other Contingent Commanders and executing his role with precision and accuracy.

SCLT Juston leading the NCDCC contingent during a rehearsal. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao

Lesser-known fact: Cadet Lieutenants (CLTs) and SCLTs in NCDCC assist Teacher Officers with the unit trainings and drill trainings. CLTs and SCLTs also get opportunities to organise community outreach activities and engagements with SCDF officers.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Tan Zhong Jun Baron, National Civil Defence Cadet Corps.

Q: What do you find rewarding about your experience as a volunteer taking part in NDP?

A: “The most rewarding aspect is being able to experience the whole parade from within the parade itself. From hearing the school kids cheering to the roars of the fighter jets and seeing Singaporeans from all walks of life come together to put up this parade is really an amazing experience for me.”

SCLT Juston (first from left), SCDF Officers, HQ NCDCC Officers, NCDCC volunteers and the contingent in high spirits before marching at the Parade. PHOTO: Lieutenant Tan Zhong Jun Baron, National Civil Defence Cadet Corps

The Presidential Guardians

Senior Staff Sergent (SSS) Aliff Azmi from Traffic Police’s Special Operations Team treated his duty as part of the President’s motorcade with great seriousness.

SSS Aliff Azmi. PHOTOS: Toh Rui Hao

Q: How did you become a part of the Presidential Motorcade?

A: “I was selected by the management to be part of the motorcade. The selection criterion to lead the motorcade are the amount of experience and skill an officer has, plus having helmed various posts within the motorcade before being selected to lead the motorcade.”

SSS Aliff gearing up. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao

As part of the Presidential Motorcade, SSS Aliff had to remain coordinated with his fellow Special Operations Officers when escorting the President from his place of residence to the Padang for the NDP. This task had to be done with utmost precision and timing, to ensure that the President arrived at the NDP within a specific timeframe. With the President as the principal in this situation, the responsibility of ensuring a safe transit rested on the shoulders of SSS Aliff and his team.

PHOTOS: Toh Rui Hao

As a Special Operations Officer, SSS Aliff’s daily duties include enforcing against errant motorists and escorting local and foreign VIPs as they travel around Singapore. Such VIPs include Presidents or Politicians of other countries who are visiting Singapore. 

Special Operations Officers also carry out duties in an all-black version of their motorcycle and gear at night, using speed laser cameras and other devices to deter and detect traffic violations. 

Fun fact: One does not need a motorcycle licence in order to join the Traffic Police (TP)! All TP officers undergo various Class 2-related motorcycle training at SPF’s training facility, where they would first hone their basic skills to develop a solid foundation for their more advanced Class-2 Specialised and Class-2 Advanced training courses. The last course is mandatory for Special Operations officers. 

SSS Aliff (first from right) during a NDP rehearsal. PHOTO: Sgt(2) Zakaria Bin Abdul Razak, Traffic Police

Q: What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect from performing this duty?

A: “I feel proud to be able to contribute to the National Day celebrations. The sense of achievement in executing my duty well is immense. It is a memorable and impactful experience which I cherish very much.”

“I eagerly look forward to my NDP deployment next year!” SSS Aliff. PHOTO: Toh Rui Hao

From enforcing law and order to performing at the NDP and ensuring the President’s safe arrival at the parade, the Home Team had its hands in multiple aspects of the National Day Parade. Together, as one Home Team, we are proud to contribute to the success of our country’s birthday celebrations, both in front of and behind the scenes.