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For Station Inspector (SI) Janna (not her real name), 2023 was looking to be a good year.
Having served in the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for 20 years, she was keen to take on a more regular run of Ground Response Force (GRF) duties after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But then she received dire news – “My father had been diagnosed with late-stage cancer,” she recalls.
Soon, SI Janna found herself accompanying her father on chemotherapy sessions and tending to him during her off-days. These added responsibilities took a toll on her. “I began crying to myself,” she shares. “That was when I knew I needed someone to talk to.”
Thankfully, help was at hand. “I had a colleague, SI Nadiyah, who was a fellow GRF officer,” recalls SI Janna. “She was also a ParaCounsellor, and she took the time to talk to me during this period. If Nadiyah hadn’t intervened, I’d have felt all alone.”
A Vital Bridge
Established in March 2001 by the then-Police Psychological Unit, now known as the Police Psychological Services Department (PPSD), the SPF ParaCounselling Programme is a key part of the support system for Police officers. Whether it’s a sudden crisis at home, relationship troubles or financial challenge, our ParaCounsellors stand ready to help.
The PPSD supports the ParaCounselling Programme with systems, processes and training. In 2008, a training route map and route of advancement for ParaCounsellors were introduced while 2014 saw the formation of the SPF ParaCounsellor Committee and the appointment of Paracounsellor Team Leaders within Police units.
“ParaCounsellors are a bridge between officers and the Force,” explains Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Teo Wee Meng, Director of the SPF’s Internal Affairs Office and Chairperson of the ParaCounsellor Committee from 2020 to 2026. “When officers face challenges in their lives, they may not always reach out to a supervisor. We fill this vital gap.”
Trained and Ready
ParaCounsellor candidates are volunteers and must undergo a thorough assessment process. Once selected, they attend a course conducted by PPSD that equips them with foundational counselling skills.
In sessions with their fellow officers, SPF ParaCounsellors listen with empathy while maintaining confidentiality, giving officers the space to share openly. Should officers need more support, PPSD psychologists may offer further assistance.
Over the decades, this comprehensive approach to officer care has contributed to changing attitudes about matters of psychological wellness within the Force, with officers now more willing to reach out on personal and work issues.
“Our ParaCounsellor cadre has grown over the past 25 years to 460 officers,” shares AC Tay Wee Li, Commander of Central Police Division and new Chairperson of the ParaCounsellor Committee. “There are now many more structures and processes in place for us to be effective. Increasingly, ParaCounsellors are also enablers that help make SPF a good environment for all officers.”
A Moment to Celebrate
On 8 July 2026, the ParaCounsellor Committee and PPSD came together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the SPF ParaCounselling Programme. In attendance were partners from the Ministry of Defence and a range of Home Team Departments, as well as ParaCounsellors from various Police units – a testament to the deep-rooted ties that our ParaCounsellors have built up over the decades.
In his opening address, Commissioner of Police (CP) How Kwang Hwee thanked ParaCounsellors for their commitment and urged them to continue their efforts: “Together as a community in the SPF, we’ll be able to build a culture where mental and emotional well-being are critical to our operational success, and achieve our mission to keep Singapore safe and secure.”
Another highlight of the evening was the launch of the new SPF ParaCounsellor Appointment Badge by CP How in recognition of the contributions of ParaCounsellors as mental health advocates. Framed by a laurel wreath, the badge features a heart-shaped design formed by twin figures that represent empathy and peer support.
As for SI Janna, she found the help of ParaCounsellor SI Nadiyah essential during those difficult months in 2023. “I was at the lowest point in my life,” she recalls. “Thank you for listening to me.”
That experience also inspired SI Janna to pay it forward; she has since applied to become a ParaCounsellor herself. It’s this spirit of mutual support that has carried the SPF ParaCounselling Programme forward since 2001, with its network of care growing stronger each year.
