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“The trust that citizens place in us to safeguard their wellbeing is both humbling and energising,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Stanley Tan shared, as he looks back at his 33-year career with the Singapore Police Force.

Growing up, DSP Tan witnessed firsthand how the presence of dedicated Police officers could make a genuine difference in people's lives during their most vulnerable moments.

However, it was his National Service days that solidified his decision to join the Force as a regular Police officer. DSP Tan started as a Full-time Police National Service officer in 1992 and became a regular officer in 1994 with the Best Trainee award.

DSP Tan is currently Officer-In-Charge (OC) of the Public Entertainment & Liquor Licensing Division at the Police Regulatory Department (PRD). As a regulator, PRD’s mission is to deliver an effective and efficient regulatory regime to prevent, deter and detect crime.

Officers like DSP Tan are gazetted with powers under the law to ensure that only persons who meet the fit and proper criteria may be granted approvals and licences, and conversely, revoke or suspend the approvals and licences if these persons no longer meet the fit and proper criteria.

DSP Tan shares that PRD work is especially impactful as it serves as a bridge between demands: “We must protect the public interest whilst enabling legitimate business activities to flourish.”

When asked about the most memorable moment from his 33 years in service, he fondly shared that his experiences within each posting taught him something valuable. However, a juncture in his career that greatly impacted him was when he had to deal with a public order case.

After the case had concluded, the young offenders returned with their parents – not in trouble, but to thank him. They said being treated fairly during the investigation helped them turn their lives around. That's when he truly understood the impact of police work goes beyond just solving cases.

To young officers, DSP Tan’s advice is that everything happens for a reason. “What might initially seem like setbacks or diversions often become the experiences that shape you into a more well-rounded officer and leader. So, embrace those challenging postings as they shape you into better leaders,” he says. “Remember that every posting, every challenge, and every opportunity to collaborate with others contributes to your professional development. Trust in the process, stay committed to continuous learning, and never underestimate the power of working together towards our common mission of keeping Singapore safe.”

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