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2PM, 16 SEPTEMBER, GEYLANG

In an HDB flat in Geylang, a shoot for episode eight of Crimewatch 2025 was buzzing with activity.

The Director guided the actors through their movements in one room while the production crew adjusted the lights and placed props in position for filming.

Amidst this hubbub of activity, I felt like a sailor lost adrift at sea, until I heard a voice: “Ru Xin! Over here!”

I turned and saw my colleague, Sergeant (Sgt) Nur Farahin Rahim, seated in front of a monitor in one of the bedrooms, watching live footage from the camera. A Visual Communications Officer with the Public Affairs Department (PAD), Sgt Farahin has managed every episode of Crimewatch since 2024.

“Sit down and make yourself comfortable,” she said warmly to me. There, I began observing her at work.

In this scene, two Investigation Officers (IOs) had come to visit a woman and her daughter to share more about their findings. During filming, Sgt Farahin watched the monitor carefully, listening to the audio through an earpiece while scribbling notes on her iPad.

“What are you writing?” I asked.

“I jot down amendments to the script or alternative angles the camera can take,” she said. “These are useful when I suggest changes that the production team can make to ensure accurate and authentic portrayal of Police officers.”

When the scene ended, the Assistant Director (AD) turned to Sgt Farahin and the Director for a discussion. They reviewed the scene and checked whether the actors’ portrayal as IOs was accurate.

Once the scene was good to go, preparations began for the next scene. That’s when Sgt Farahin noticed that something was off.

“The actors are wearing the same clothes,” she pointed out. The scenes were shot in reverse order. The previous scene showed the mother and daughter meeting the IOs handling the case. The next scene showed the mother-and-daughter duo finding out that the mother had been scammed.

“If they’re wearing the same clothes, it means that the mother and daughter discovered a scam, filed a Police report and met with the IOs handling the case, all in the same day,” she explained. “This may set unrealistic expectations for cases to be attended to on the same day as the report, which isn’t always what happens.”

To ensure accuracy, she consulted the IO who investigated the case and verified that it was the correct sequence of events. After confirming with the Director and AD, filming continued.

“This role is about balancing policing with creativity,” she reflected. “While the production team brings their creative input to Crimewatch, I have to balance it with factual accuracy.”

10AM, 18 SEPTEMBER, POLICE CANTONMENT COMPLEX

It’s day four of the shoot and we’re at the Police Cantonment Complex, shooting an interview scene between the IOs and the mother-and-daughter duo.

Once again, Sgt Farahin is going over every detail, listening to the actors who are playing IOs relate their lines, then offering pointers on tone and emphasis.

In between scenes, while waiting for the actors and the production crew to be ready, I asked Sgt Farahin why she joined the PAD.

“I was a Ground Response Force officer at Ang Mo Kio Neighbourhood Police Centre for six years,” she said. “Having studied Media Production and Design in polytechnic, I’d always wanted to join the PAD, so I immediately went for it when the opportunity came.”

She still recalls her first day on a Crimewatch shoot. “It was a surreal experience,” she said. “Stepping onto the set and witnessing the behind-the scenes process was both thrilling and eye-opening!”

That sense of excitement has seen her through long shoots under the hot sun and in heavy rain, from Singapore’s heartland to alleys in Little India. It’s no wonder that Sgt Farahin’s role as a Visual Communications Officer is multi-faceted. As the main Police liaison officer, she’s not just present for all Crimewatch filming, but also for the preparation of each episode.

Treatment and production meetings are called before filming begins for each episode. During treatment meetings, the IOs share case details with the production team for crafting the script. Production meetings are attended by the production team, PAD representatives and IOs to review the script for factual accuracy.

Given the tight filming schedule, she handles up to three episodes at any given time. “I could be involved in a treatment meeting for one episode, in pre-production for another and in post-production for yet another episode,” she said.

“So, you handle all things Police-related?” I asked.

“You can say that,” she says. “I make sure that our officers are portrayed in a professional manner, as the primary Police representative on set.”

Managing Crimewatch has deepened her understanding of the adaptation and production processes: “There’s a tremendous amount of thought and planning involved in each episode. Each scene is carefully crafted – not just for storytelling, but to convey important crime prevention lessons.”

It's this meticulous approach that has been Crimewatch's hallmark since 1986. As the programme prepares to mark its 40th anniversary next year, maintaining these standards becomes even more vital.

I asked Sgt Farahin whether, after almost two years, whether working on Crimewatch is what she expected.

She thought for a moment. “It’s been both expected and unexpected,” she replied. “There have certainly been moments where I’ve had to learn on the fly, especially in balancing the demands of production shoots with upholding Police interests. But I’ve adapted well with the help of my colleagues.”

Despite the challenges, her love for film production shines through. “My favourite part of filming Crimewatch is that I get to contribute to a longstanding, well-loved series that explores crime in Singapore – it’s the best of both worlds!” she exclaimed.

Over these two days, I've watched Sgt Farahin seamlessly bridge two different worlds – the creative energy of television production and the precision of police work. Her role goes far beyond what viewers see on screen; she makes sure that every detail serves Crimewatch's mission of crime prevention while maintaining the programme's entertainment value.

What struck me most was her quiet dedication to getting things right, reflecting a commitment to authenticity that has kept Crimewatch trusted by Singaporeans for nearly four decades.

Just then, the AD came back to the monitor.

“Ready?” she asked.

We nodded.

She turned back to the monitor and raised her walkie-talkie to her mouth.

“Action!”

Crimewatch 2025, Episode 8: Malware Phishing Scam and Money Mule Offences

A seafood craving turns into a financial nightmare when a victim loses more than $80,000 after downloading a seafood app embedded with malware. Watch how officers from the Anti-Scam Command take swift action to prevent further losses and unravel a money mule network.

Want to know more about the case covered in this article? You can view this episode of Crimewatch on meWATCH!