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On 25 April 2026, the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) held its Annual Parade at the Home Team Academy, with more than 600 Cadets from 122 schools taking part.
“Sedia!” The first command cuts through the evening air.
Boots struck the ground in perfect unison as the contingents marched into formation. Leading this year’s Parade was Probationary Honorary Inspector (P/H/Insp) (NPCC) Terence Tan, as the Parade Commander.
From the stands, the marching appeared seamless – but behind that precision lies months of preparation, discipline and commitment by each Cadet on the parade square.
Precision and Purpose
Reviewing the Parade this year was Dr Hamid Razak, Member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Education. Addressing the Cadets, he highlighted the importance of the NPCC values of Resilience, Integrity, Service and Excellence in shaping future NPCC leaders.
“Beyond celebrating achievements, today is also about the values that shape each of you – values that will carry you far beyond your time in NPCC,” he said.
From Cadet to Parade Commander
For P/H/Insp (NPCC) Terence, he began his journey as a NPCC Cadet unexpectedly. “I had initially joined another uniformed group in secondary school,” he shared. “But when it underwent some organisational changes, I was transferred to the NPCC.”
In 2015, P/H/Insp (NPCC) Terence participated in his first NPCC Annual Parade as part of a Supporting Contingent. Through the mentorship of his trainers, he grew to be more confident and proactive. “They saw the potential in us, even when we didn’t see it ourselves,” he said.
Inspired by his supportive trainers, he returned to serve as a Cadet Inspector (CI) after graduation from secondary school, and later as an Honorary Officer (HO). As a HO, P/H/Insp (NPCC) Terence assists his NPCC unit’s teacher officer-in- charge in supervising the training of the cadets.
A HO mainly performs leadership roles; mentoring CIs and Cadets; serving as a safety advocate; and facilitating discussions and learning for Cadets.
Over the years, P/H/Insp (NPCC) Terence took on more responsibilities, from being a Contingent Commander to a trainer, and eventually stepping into leadership roles that required him to mentor others. This year, he assumed the role of Parade Commander, marking a significant milestone in his NPCC journey.
Discipline in Practice
Training for the Parade started in late January 2026. P/H/Insp (NPCC) Terence shared that the training process had to be constantly refined, relearning some areas where necessary. “We always found something to improve,” he said.
After the Parade march past, the post-Parade segment featured performances by the NPCC Band and Mass Display Team, showcasing the talents and teamwork of the Cadets. Another highlight was the presentation of the Unit Overall Proficiency Awards, which recognised the achievements of units across the Corps.
Motivated to Lead
But of course, the NPCC journey for P/H/Insp (NPCC) Terence was not always one of sunshine and rainbows. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he found it hard to balance his commitments and considered stepping back. But he continued with his duties due to a strong sense of responsibility towards his fellow Cadets.
“As the only active CI of his alma mater at the time, I knew my Cadets were relying on me,” he said.
As the Parade Commander this year, it was not just his performance that mattered. He had to ensure that the entire Parade was carefully coordinated, to the highest of standards. “I also feel like I am representing my friends and mentors who have supported me along the way,” he said. “Without them, I would not have made it this far into my journey.”
For P/H/Insp (NPCC) Terence, service is a family tradition. Both his parents are uniformed officers in the Home Team, with his mother in the Singapore Civil Defence Force and his father a Police officer in the Singapore Police Force. Though his parents always cautioned him that volunteering might not reap immediate rewards, they always served as his backbone. “They supported me by buying certain equipment and clothing for me,” he shared, “or simply letting me rest after a long weekend at camp.”
And just like every parent, his mum and dad have always affirmed his efforts and achievements, imparting words of wisdom that guided him as a leader in the NPCC.
A Lasting Impact
From the stands, the NPCC Annual Parade 2026 was a display of precision and discipline, after months of preparation and hard work put in by the NPCC Cadets.
For P/H/Insp (NPCC) Terence, the Parade also reflected the journey of every NPCC cadet, shaped by shared experiences and a commitment to service. Congratulations to all our NPCC Cadets and award recipients!
