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The Singapore Police Force (SPF) Editorial Unit isn’t your typical office. On any given week, the team might be on location doing a photoshoot for an article, sitting across from an officer with a story that needs to be told or quietly wrestling with a layout that just isn’t coming together.
Over the years, the unit has welcomed a steady stream of Full-time Police National Service (PNSF) officers and interns who came with fresh eyes and brought a variety of views, voices – and often lots of humour – to the team.
As Police Life marks its 50th anniversary, we caught up with five of these young talents to hear about the assignments and lessons that have shaped them.
First things first, tell us a bit about yourself.
Soh Ying Jie: I was studying at Eunoia Junior College before joining as a PNSF officer. I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor of Law at National University of Singapore (NUS) and have completed my first year.
Teh Ru Xin: I’m a fourth-year Communications and New Media student at NUS. I interned with the Editorial Unit from July to December 2025.
Ashwini Jayasankar: I was with the Editorial Unit from March to September 2023, as part of my third-year Diploma in Mass Communication internship at Republic Polytechnic (RP). I’m currently pursuing a degree in Professional Communication at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University.
Koh Jia Yun: I’m a third-year student at Nanyang Technological University pursuing a degree in Communication Studies. I was with the Editorial Unit from January to July 2026 as part of my graded internship module and am now looking forward to completing my final year.
Christal Maung: I’m a Mass Communication student from RP with a love for photography and feature writing. I joined the Editorial Unit in March 2026 and am still exploring storytelling and content creation with the team.
What was the most unexpected or surprising part of the role?
Ying Jie: What struck me the most would probably be spending days with the production team for Crimewatch. I would never have imagined doing digital media at a professional level.
Ru Xin: The officers themselves. Everyone was so down-to-earth and willing to share their knowledge. It completely changed how I saw the SPF.Ashwini: Before I joined, I didn’t know about the various units in the SPF and the officers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep Singapore safe.
Jia Yun: How much the team trusted us. We had real ownership over our stories, and our fresh perspectives were always welcomed. That trust pushed me to constantly give my best.
Christal: Every assignment brings a completely different challenge.
What article or experience has stayed with you?
Ying Jie: One of my proudest works was the article Breaking Barriers in the Special Operations Command. The story covered the deeply personal experience of the first female officer to complete the 12-week-long Police Tactical Course.
I’d also been experimenting with my photography knowledge, using more lights and own equipment at the time. I didn’t expect the mainstream media to pick up on this article together with the photos that I took, and the article received a very warm response from readers.
Ru Xin: It has to be Crimewatch 2025 Production Diary #4. During the shoot, I noticed some annotations on the profilee’s script of a Crimewatch script, and I asked her about them. She told me it was the first time anyone had ever asked. That small moment of curiosity ended up being the heart of the whole piece.
Ashwini: I interviewed an officer for the article Against the Flames. He’d evacuated bedridden patients from a smoke-filled dialysis centre, making multiple trips without hesitation. Hearing that story firsthand reminded me of the courage behind every uniform.
Jia Yun: One of the series I initiated was NS Diaries, which featured my own brother who’d just enlisted as a PNSF officer. It held a special place in my heart as it involved my loved one!
Christal: Every story I’ve covered on the ground has stayed with me in some way. Each officer has something unique to share. But the article that will stay with me the most is When Happy Hour Ends. Witnessing the operation firsthand at public entertainment outlets was a surreal experience that gave me a perspective most people never get, and a deeper respect for the officers' dedication to the job.
What’s the key takeaway from your time with Police Life?
Ying Jie: Never stop learning and never stay stagnant. New challenges will always appear – the only answer is to keep growing.
Ru Xin: The importance of self-care amid the determination to prove myself as a competent journalist!
Ashwini: Success is not about knowing everything. It’s about having the humility to keep learning, being open to feedback and embracing change.
Jia Yun: Step out of your comfort zone. Every time I did, I grew.
Christal: It taught me how to prioritise my work, manage my time and stay calm under pressure without compromising on quality.
Finally, what message do you have for Police Life as it turns 50?
Ying Jie: I hope the team continues to capture stories in a humane, enlightening and creative way, and keeps pushing the boundaries of what Police Life can be.
Ru Xin: Keep on doing great and meaningful work! There are so many more stories still waiting to be told.
Ashwini: Continue telling the stories that often go unseen, because behind every uniform is a person with a journey, a purpose, and a story worth sharing.
Jia Yun: Congratulations on 50 years! Here's to continuing to tell authentic, meaningful stories, and to reaching 100!
Christal: Thank you for continuing to tell stories that matter!
