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A towering man with a sharp jaw walks out to meet me at the Police Security Command (SecCom). I thought I’d be intimidated by his 183cm stature, but his relaxed demeanour instantly made me feel at ease – an admirable front, given that this veteran officer works in an elite, high-stakes Police unit.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bros Leong is currently a Personal Security Officer (PSO) who protects government leaders from threats.
“We can’t make any mistakes; it’s an immense responsibility that we have,” he said.
At 50, DSP Leong has been in the Singapore Police Force for three decades, signing on fresh out of secondary school. He was first posted to Ang Mo Kio Police Division in 1995 before transitioning to the Security Branch, the precursor of the SecCom.
DSP Leong has dedicated his career to safeguarding prominent political leaders. They included former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong as well as former United States President Barack Obama, President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and the late Queen Elizabeth II who visited Singapore previously.
“I like that this is not a desk-bound job. We get to see a lot of things and go to a lot of places that many can’t, so I find that unique,” he said.
No Margin for Error
In 2024, DSP Leong was part of a Singapore contingent that paid an official visit to a war-torn region. Deployed on high-risk operations, DSP Leong wore full protective gear and was focused on neutralising any potential threats.
The conditions echoed those from one of his very first overseas assignments, when DSP Leong visited Afghanistan in 2007 as part of the Singapore contingent. He recalled that, shortly before his team left Singapore, a bombing had occurred at the spot where they were supposed to visit.
Fortunately, nothing happened during both missions. But being constantly on edge is something that he’ll never forget.
I wondered what DSP Leong’s family thinks about him when he is constantly putting his life on the line? He is, after all, married with four children.
He admitted: “I don’t inform my family that I’m going on high-risk missions. I don’t want them to worry so I don’t call them until I’ve completed my active escort duty.”
Duty, Drills and Discipline
Being a PSO also demands tip-top physical fitness. DSP Leong runs five to six kilometres four times a week, on top of completing exercises such as chin-ups, push-ups and sit-ups, to ensure that he stays fit for the job.
One must also be a skilled marksman, trained in martial arts and emergency medical response procedures, as well as proficient in protective driving.
I listened, intrigued, as DSP Leong explained what protective driving entails. He shared how PSOs are trained to drive at high speeds, executing rapid turns to avoid obstacles or oncoming vehicles.
“We don’t do protective driving all the time but when the situation requires, we can execute it,” he said.
The Path of the Veteran
The tough, no-nonsense veteran may look invincible, but he was once a young officer who doubted himself. As a starry-eyed youth, DSP Leong decided to embark on a policing career because he was inspired by Hong Kong action movies about policemen starring the likes of Jackie Chan and Andy Lau.
Apart from “looking cool” while wearing uniforms, the stars also arrested criminals, fought corruption and upheld the law. Their sense of purpose resonated with DSP Leong and he also yearned to make a positive impact on society.
DSP Leong’s finely honed professional instincts don’t leave him even when he’s enjoying leisure time – on the road, he makes sure the traffic is clear before any friend or family member crosses. When walking around a high-rise block, he also looks up to ensure that there’s no potential threat from above.
“I always have security in mind,” he shared. “Even when it comes to something as simple as having a good dinner, I’ll do a check that all is well and everyone in attendance is where they are supposed to be and that nothing is left behind.”
Looking back at his career, DSP Leong reflected: “It’s been a long journey. I feel proud to be in this unit, and this is my commitment to it – to protect those I serve, as well as to train and develop the next generation of PSOs.”
