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It’s work you rarely see, but one that makes a real difference in the community. Within the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Police Regulatory Department (PRD) oversees regulatory matters, delivering an effective and efficient regime to prevent, deter and detect crime. The PRD comprises five divisions: the General Licensing Division; Public Entertainment and Liquor Licensing Division; Guns, Explosives and Weapons Division; Security Industry Division; and Regulatory Development and Support Division.
As Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Public Entertainment and Liquor Licensing Division (PELLD), Ms Rogini D/O Manoharan is responsible for ensuring that Singapore’s entertainment and liquor licensing landscape is well-regulated.
A Career with Purpose
Ms Rogini joined the Force in May 2017 with a passion to serve the community. “I was inspired by the SPF’s mission of making a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” she shared. “Contributing to public safety while supporting businesses to operate within regulatory frameworks is strongly aligned with my desire to serve Singapore.”
She began her SPF journey as a Regulatory Officer in the PELLD. Over the years, Ms Rogini has developed deep operational knowledge of the licensing domain and stakeholder engagement. This has provided her with a strong foundation for her current leadership role as OC of the PELLD, which she took on in October 2024.
Leading with Experience
In her current role, she leads a team of Regulatory Officers and Assistant Regulatory Officers, providing guidance to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and effective service delivery to stakeholders (including the Housing and Development Board, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Ministry of Manpower and Singapore Tourism Board) in licensing matters.
Ms Rogini also manages the processing and assessment of over 200 public entertainment and liquor licence applications every month. Her team makes decisions on licence outcomes by carefully verifying supporting documents, screening results and seeking inputs from the Police Land Divisions and other stakeholders.
She advises applicants to plan ahead and ensure that they meet all requirements before submitting their applications: “To avoid delays, do review the licensing requirements carefully and prepare all necessary documents.”
Ms Rogini’s leadership style is grounded in experience and empathy – qualities shaped by years of regulatory work. She mentors and supports her team by providing guidance on licence application matters clearly, with confidence and professionalism.
“Every licence processed and query addressed helps businesses operate legally and safely,” Ms Rogini shared. “Knowing that our work directly impacts the community is what motivates me most.”
Turning Challenges into Confidence
Not all interactions with members of the public proceed smoothly. Ms Rogini recalled a particular service interaction that resulted in a complaint being lodged against her.
“What could have been discouraging turned into a positive experience,” Ms Rogini reflected. “After a review by management, the finding was that I had remained professional and courteous throughout the interaction with the complainant.”
The experience reinforced the importance of professionalism and proper documentation, strengthening Ms Rogini’s confidence in carrying out her duties.
For Ms Rogini, some of her most rewarding moments come not from achieving milestones, but from expressions of appreciation from the public. She’s grateful to receive positive feedback from licence applicants for prompt and effective service.
“Through our professionalism and service-oriented approach,” Ms Rogini shared, “we demonstrate the important role that civilian officers play in supporting the PRD’s mission.”
Want to know more about the PRD’s regulatory work? Read the story of Mr Tengku Muhammad Khairul Anuar from the General Licensing Division who shares his role in regulating massage establishments and safeguarding standards!
