Landing page banner
When Special Constable Sergeant (SC/Sgt) Alastor Hing Wei Jie enlisted for National Service (NS) in May 2023, his only frame of reference for Police work came from television. “I always enjoyed watching Crimewatch, so I was quite excited and looking forward to enlistment,” he said.
Before joining the Singapore Police Force (SPF), SC/Sgt Hing thought Police work meant “enforcing the law and arresting criminals.” He soon learned that it also involved handling family disputes, attending to cases of violence and locating missing people.
Training became the turning point. Over 14 weeks of the Police Officer Basic Course (POBC), SC/Sgt Hing learnt about professionalism, teamwork and the four SPF core values of Courage, Loyalty, Integrity and Fairness. “The physical training was the most challenging part, but it equipped me for operations,” he recalled. “I met people from different backgrounds and learnt to adapt. I saw myself grow from an introverted person to a more outspoken one.”
By the time he passed out from the POBC, SC/Sgt Hing was well-versed in all things police related. “We were trained to use firearms, defend ourselves when necessary and apply the criminal law,” he said. “All in preparation for the real-world demands of frontline policing.”
Serving with Empathy, Growing in Confidence
After completing his Ground Response Force (GRF) training, SC/Sgt Hing was posted to Jurong West Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) in January 2024. His duties included both foot and vehicle patrols, responding to calls for assistance and manning the NPC counter to assist residents.
One of his most memorable cases came early in his posting. Responding to a domestic dispute, SC/Sgt Hing and his partner discovered that a man present at the scene was a person of interest. While his partner was verifying details, the man suddenly tried to flee. SC/Sgt Hing responded instantly by grabbing onto him.
“As he was bigger than me, I couldn’t hold him down alone, but together with my partner, we managed to subdue and arrest him,” he said.
SC/Sgt Hing’s time at the counter was equally impactful. He recalled assisting a woman who wanted to lodge a report for an incident that had occurred a year earlier. It was the end of his shift, but instead of handing over the case to another officer, he took the time to listen.
“I let her take a seat and explained what we were going to do. I also got help from my senior officers so we could interview her further.”
This example of patience and attentiveness wasn’t an exception. Over the course of his service, SC/Sgt Hing received 24 compliments from members of the public, recognising the professionalism and empathy he displayed in a wide range of cases.
Whether managing disputes, attending to urgent calls or conducting high-visibility patrols during the Chinese New Year period, SC/Sgt Hing approached each incident with the same sense of responsibility and dedication. “Behind every case is a human being,” he said. “I handle cases with empathy, but I also explain the law so members of the public can cooperate with us.”
Recognition and Reflection
In 2025, SC/Sgt Hing was named one of the five PNSF Officer of the Year award recipients. For him, the award went beyond personal recognition. “It reinforced my dedication to serving the community,” he said.
Asked what drives him to serve others, SC/Sgt Hing took a moment to collect his thoughts, then replied: “During my NS, I lost both my father and grandfather. It was difficult coping with the loss of my loved ones, but it bestowed on me a greater sense of resilience.”
What kept him going was the meaning he found in daily service. “The work is rewarding because every case is different, and I know I’m making a difference for the people who come to us for help,” he said. “Whether it’s resolving a dispute or simply just hearing an individual out, it’s meaningful to know you have eased their concerns.”
His advice for future PNSF officers is simple. “Trust the process, believe in yourself and be dependable,” he said. “Trust in the SPF is important because when we patrol or carry out operations, we need to trust each other.”
