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At the Home Team Academy dojo, one man stood tall and guided a group of new trainees through their Police Contact Tactics lesson for the day.
The session began with the trainees doing a series of warm-up exercises before breaking into pairs to practise their routines.
Watching the class intently, Inspector (Insp) Terry Chua remained focus. Catching an errant stance or punch from across the dojo, he gave instructions in a firm and direct manner.
Almost 15 minutes passed before Insp Chua instructed everyone to stop. The dojo went quiet.
Walking up to two trainees, Insp Chua said, “Show me how you were attacking and avoiding each other’s punches.”
The trainees immediately executed an attack and a corresponding dodge – wrongly, it turns out.
But instead of chastising them, Insp Chua corrected them and said, “You two look like you’re dancing instead of fighting” – drawing laughter from the rest of the class in an otherwise serious session.
Step by Step
Insp Chua then explained to the trainees why it was crucial for them to simulate an actual fight scenario, with urgency and force. One mistake in the real world could result in serious injury, or worse.
“Let’s try it again, but make sure you’re attacking with intention, so your partner can really learn to block your punch,” he said.
And like clockwork, the class moved back into action. Their moves were noticeably sharper; faster.
As the Deputy Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Ops Training Wing (Contact Tactics) at Training Command (TRACOM), Insp Chua is committed to preparing trainees for the realities of frontline policing.
“We're fortunate to live in a country with a high level of safety and security,” he shared. “That’s why during my training sessions, I try to impart to the class a greater awareness about how an act of violence can occur when we least expect it. As officers, we must be ready at all times.”
Enduring Lessons
Insp Chua’s interest in the martial arts began after he joined the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in 1999. “I became an officer at the age of 18, and that’s when my love for martial arts first started,” he recalled. “I was exposed to hand-to-hand techniques during my training and this became my passion.”
A stint with the Police Security Command – the SPF’s elite protection unit – allowed Insp Chua to continue sharpening his skills. In his personal life, the avid student has also picked up other martial arts forms such as Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
“But as the years went by, I wanted to share the specialist knowledge and experience that I'd acquired,” he said. “At TRACOM, I can combine my policing experience with my martial arts training, to teach trainees. At the end of the day, what matters most is making sure they become operationally ready for the rigours of policing.”
According to Insp Chua, effective training begins with a focus on what officers will really encounter while on duty. “It's very important to bring trainees into a realistic scenario,” he said, “and then teach them the skills to prevent a suspect from harming others or themselves.”
For trainees new to Police Contact Tactics, Insp Chua is quick to ground them in the proper way to respond to suspects who pose a threat. “We teach our officers to work in teams and apply appropriate use of force options to uphold the law and bring a situation under control,” he explained.
As for what keeps him going as a trainer, Insp Chua had a simple answer: “We need to have a growth mindset. It's about becoming better officers and understanding that our learning journey never ends.”
