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Walking around a quiet neighbourhood in Woodlands with a distinguished, fully-dressed Police officer drew us some stares, but the real star was the handsome, cream-coloured Labrador Retriever trotting beside us.
At one point, several children from a nearby playground approached Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Surjan Singh to ask for permission to pet the canine.
“Go on, don’t be scared,” ASP Singh encouraged one of the younger boys. “He’s very gentle; he won’t bite.”
Major, the docile eight-year-old Labrador Retriever stood still, soaking in the attention shown to him. He was gentle and affectionate with the children, nuzzling them with his snout.
But just a year before, Major lived a different life as an Explosive Detection Dog in the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) K-9 Unit. There, the athletic dog was engaged in regular training, exercises and deployments to sniff out explosive materials and bomb threats.
Having retired from the Force in January 2025, Major was placed into the Project ADORE dog adoption programme, which allows HDB residents to offer homes to local mixed-breed dogs as well as retired service dogs.
This coincided with the time that ASP Singh, 56, was looking for a furry companion for his family of four. He has a son, 15, and a daughter, 21.
“As a family, we’d discussed having a dog before,” he explained. “When my colleague told me about Project ADORE, my kids were very excited and said we should adopt a former Police K-9, to give him a second life.”
ASP Singh, who currently serves as the Deputy Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Community Policing Unit at Woodlands East Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC), adopted Major in May 2025.
“It was love at first bark for all of us, so the adoption process was quick,” he said with a laugh. “In fact, my family spoil Major, and are always giving him treats and playing with him.”
Today, Major has left the life of a service dog behind, but some aspects from his former life still remain. Two calluses on Major’s front legs were a result of his time in the K-9 Unit. “The vet told us that the fur on those areas will probably not grow back,” said ASP Singh, “but the calluses don’t cause him any pain.”
As for Major’s instincts, they are as sharp as ever. According to ASP Singh, anyone who enters his home is subjected to a head-to-toe inspection before a round of friendly sniffing, especially around the pockets.
And for all of Major’s training and discipline, he still gets frightened when he hears the rumble of thunder. “Whenever it rains, he’ll huddle around the family or hide under the dining table,” said ASP Singh.
To date, some 90 Police K-9s have been rehomed under Project ADORE. “I always encourage people who’re looking for a pet to adopt a Police K-9, like we did,” said ASP Singh. “The dogs are very well-trained and well-behaved. It’s so much easier for the family.”
Like a proud father, ASP Singh laughed as he showed us photos of Major on his phone – each with its own story. “I wanted to give Major a better life, you know?” he shared. “After he has spent his life protecting us, I wanted to give him a family.”
A 31-year veteran of the SPF, ASP Singh will himself be retiring from the Force in January 2026. “Soon, there’ll be two retired people in the house,” he said. “Major’s been enjoying all the attention we give him. I hope I’ll enjoy my retirement too, like him!”
