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ASP Yeo Yeow Hong’s path to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) wasn’t a conventional one. Before donning the blue uniform, he was an airline steward – a career cut short when the COVID-19 pandemic grounded flights worldwide. During that period, he served his reservist with Changi Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC), and what he witnessed there changed the course of his life.
From the Skies to the Streets
“Seeing the dedication and selfless sacrifice of the officers I worked alongside left a deep impression on me, and I knew I wanted to be part of that again,” he recalls.
He joined the SPF in 2021, and he currently leads a team of Ground Response Force officers in Geylang NPC, which covers one of Singapore’s most dynamic and demanding neighbourhoods. “There’s never a boring day in Geylang NPC,” he says. “We respond to 999 calls and conduct daily patrols.”
His role as a Team Leader demands not just physical readiness, but sharp instincts, steady leadership and the ability to make critical decisions in the blink of an eye.A Man in the River
It was a peaceful night shift. ASP Yeo was performing supervisory duties at the NPC when one of his officers informed him that a man was floating in the middle of the Kallang River, near Upper Boon Keng bridge, unresponsive and apparently in an altered state of mind. Without hesitation, ASP Yeo rushed to the scene.
En route, he was already planning – what actions to take on arrival, and what resources he might need. But nothing fully prepared him for what he found.
The man was floating face-up in the middle of the river, surrounded by darkness. The water was calm, almost eerily so, but the dim conditions made it nearly impossible to gauge the depth or spot hazards beneath the surface.
ASP Yeo directed one of his officers to locate a lifebuoy while he and his partner joined the first two officers who’d been keeping close watch on the man from the riverbank.
Calling out a woman's name repeatedly, the man was oblivious to the officers. “It was clear to us that he was in a delirious state of mind,” ASP Yeo recalls.
Returning to the riverbank with a lifebuoy, one of the officers threw it towards the man thrice. Each time, the man made no attempt to grab it.
An ambulance was on the way, but no one knew how long it would take. And the man in the river was running out of time.
The Decision
Swiftly and methodically, ASP Yeo began to remove his duty belt, boots and anything that could restrict his movement in the water. He told his partner plainly that if the man showed signs of choking or distress, he’d go in.
Then the man’s shouting grew faint. The cries gave way to coughing. He was choking on the water.
“I knew that I couldn’t wait any longer.”
With a lifebuoy in hand and his partner gripping the rope from the riverbank, ASP Yeo stepped into the cold, dark river.10 Metres
The man was about 10 metres out in the river. ASP Yeo swam forward cautiously; his teammates held their flashlights on the surface to light the way ahead. He was aware of the risks – a panicked subject could drag a rescuer under. “I knew that I couldn’t stand by and watch him drown,” says ASP Yeo. “I just had to have confidence in my skills and my colleagues.”
Though he was trained in lifesaving techniques, this was nonetheless his first time swimming in open water at night. “Honestly, I was afraid,” he admits. “But I placed my duty to protect the man above my own fear and pushed ahead.”
When he finally reached the man, exhaustion seemed to cut through the man’s delirium, and he grabbed onto the lifebuoy. ASP Yeo called out to his partner on shore to pull them in. The rope went taut.
Then it snapped.
In the dark water, ASP Yeo looked at the man in the eyes.
“Brother, you have to help me, you have to swim.”
And thankfully, the man did.
Back to Shore
Together, they swam the remaining seven metres to shore, where ASP Yeo’s colleagues and paramedics from the Singapore Civil Defence Force were waiting. The man continued to resist even after being pulled from the water, but he was finally conveyed to the hospital for treatment. He was subsequently apprehended under Section 7 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act.
Asked if he’d have done anything differently, ASP Yeo pauses – then laughs softly. “Maybe I’d have also removed my socks.”
Then, in a more serious tone, he said, “The decisions made were split-second ones, centred around my training and policing instincts. I’m glad to have been exposed to good mentors and trainers that helped sharpen this instinct.”
A Commendation, and What It Means
For his actions that night, ASP Yeo was awarded the Commissioner of Police (CP) Commendation – High Commendation.
“It was truly humbling.” He says. “Being in a high-stress and high-risk role, we don’t go into our daily duty expecting recognition. Most days, we’re happy to just be able to go home safely to our loved ones when our shift ends. Receiving a commendation is a highlight in my career and something I’ll treasure.”
His advice to fellow officers who may one day face a similar, high-stakes situation. “Keep yourself fighting fit and surround yourselves with good colleagues and mentors. Invest in training and sharpen your policing skills - luck favours the prepared. When the time comes, you will do SPF proud and fulfil our mission.”
On the night he swam into the dark waters of the Kallang River, ASP Yeo did exactly that.
To find out more about Direct-Entry Inspector (DEI)/ Direct-Entry Sergeant (DES) positions, click the links below:
DEI: go.gov.sg/spf-inspector
DES: go.gov.sg/spf-sergeant
