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Looking down from one of the uppermost floors of the iconic DBS Building, the cityscape and Marina Bay resemble a living map of Singapore's progress. It's here, in the corporate heart of the financial district, that we meet former Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police (NS) Mr Derrick Goh, Group Chief Operating Officer of DBS Bank, and a seasoned Police National Service (PNS) leader.
As the Singapore Police Force (SPF) celebrates 50 years of PNS in 2025, Mr Goh stands as a beacon of dedication. A banking veteran, recently retired Member of Parliament (MP) for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC) and a former National Service (NS) Deputy Commander of Bedok Police Division, his 30-year journey embodies purpose, leadership and community trust.
Mr Goh’s story of balancing a demanding career with PNS service highlights the bonds and purpose that define the SPF. “PNS was an unexpected calling for me that became a blessing,” he says. “NS taught me purpose, service and that a lot of hard work goes behind the scenes towards keeping Singapore safe. Security cannot be taken for granted.”
Answering the Call
Mr Goh began his NS in 1986 at Pulau Tekong. After excelling in his Basic Military Training, he received an Officer Cadet Training (OCT) posting to the Old Police Academy. “The Academy’s colonial charm – with rambutan and durian trees on the grounds – made it unforgettable,” he recalls.
After OCT, he joined Bedok Police Division for a three-month baptism of fire, rotating through deployments, operations and patrols. A reality check came swift and sharp when he responded to a 999 call for assistance in Joo Chiat. Soon after Mr Goh arrived on the scene, a distressed individual hurled a large kitchen bowl that caught him square on the head.
An emergency ambulance trip to the hospital and seven stitches later, he was wiser but undeterred. “I was bleeding all over myself and properly shaken,” he laughs. “That’s when I understood what we were really signing up for. PNS officers put our safety on the line, no different from our regular counterparts.”
In 1988, he moved to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to fulfil his vocation as a Staff Officer (Research and Planning), with Mr Leo Yip, now Head of Civil Service and Permanent Secretary (Prime Minister’s Office) (Strategy), as his supervisor. He also crossed paths with Mr Heng Swee Keat, former Deputy Prime Minister, who was also in the CID then, and whom he supported on special projects. Between assisting them in drafting policy papers, he took the opportunity to take part in operations against major crime incidents, illegal gambling, vice and secret society activities, where he got an unvarnished look at the darker side of society.
“The CID stint stripped away my illusions that life and society are a bowl of cherries,” he reflects. “You see society’s fault-lines up close – it made me grounded and grateful for the simple but, importantly , safe and fun growing-up years I had.”
The Heart of Policing
After completing his full-time NS in 1989, Mr Goh took on a Key Appointment Holder role in Bedok Police Division until 1998, when he took a 10-year hiatus to work for American Express based in London, Paris and New York City.
Mr Goh returned to Singapore in 2007 and later took on the role as Deputy Commander (NS) of Bedok Police Division, Mr Goh led PNS-driven operations, including the annual Geylang Serai Hari Raya bazaar deployment, which is fully manned by PNS officers. “These operations show PNS’ vital role in supplementing regular Police officers and, more importantly, they can be counted on,” he notes.
He served on the HomeTeamNS Board of Governors from 2014 till 2022 during which he championed the setting-up of modern clubhouses to better serve officers and their families. Today, the HomeTeamNS clubhouses are located at Yishun and at Bedok Reservoir. Mr Goh credits Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, for his leadership and unstinting support that made this happen. He also credits Senior Assistant Commissioner (Ret) P Manimaran, former Head of PNS Department for his passion and encouragement of PNS officers to innovate.
In 2015, his pursuit of innovation earned him the HomeTeam NSman of the Year award. Recognising how PNS officers can struggle with their fitness tests, he proposed and pioneered the integration of physical training into in-camp training so that officers could spend their time more effectively. “We trained together, raising participation rates and readiness,” he says.
Reflecting on PNS’ evolution over the decades, Mr Goh highlighted how evolving crime trends have led to PNS officers playing expanded role in combating scams and cybercrime. “Yet, the heart of policing – vigilance, teamwork, public trust – remains unchanged,” he says. “PNS officers are effective pillars of the SPF to help raise the community’s awareness of scams and promote greater vigilance, particularly among the vulnerable segments of the community.”
Beyond the Uniform
From 2020 to 2025, Mr Goh served as an MP at Nee Soon GRC. Here, the lessons he learnt from his PNS days were vital as well. “Policing demands clarity and reliability,” he explains. “Leading operations taught me to guide teams with purpose – skills I’ve applied in banking and serving residents alike.”
Mr Goh’s son, now a Full-time PNS officer at Toa Payoh Neighbourhood Police Centre, continues the family tradition of service. This is one of the many reasons why PNS50 is a personal milestone for Mr Goh.
“It’s a reminder of the bonds and purpose that define our service,” he says. “With PNS as part of the backbone of the SPF, Singapore can maintain our high level of safety and continue to keep crime rates low. PNS officers often deal with neighbourhood disputes, helping to foster unity in our multiracial nation, and build community resilience.”
To current and future PNS officers, his message is simple: “Embrace PNS with purpose – it's our rite of passage as we grow from boys to men. Do your best, as you'll learn and gain much from this experience. We all have a role to play in helping Singapore stay a bright red dot for many years to come.”
