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Senior Assistant Commander of Police (SAC) Tan Chi Chong didn’t exactly choose policing – in some ways, it chose him.
Growing up with a Police officer father, visits to the police quarters and the Neighbourhood Police Post at Ama Keng in Lim Chu Kang were just part of life. By the time he joined the Singapore Police Force in 2007, it already felt like familiar ground.
His father’s advice was simple: “Remember to be humble. People truly respect you not because of the rank, but who you are as a person.”
It’s a lesson that has stayed with him through every posting and one that now shapes how he leads an entire division.
Leading by Example
Before taking over the reins at Woodlands Police Division in 2025, SAC Tan served across a wide range of roles in the SPF, from investigations and counter-terrorism policy work to heading operations at Central Police Division. That breadth of experience gives him a grounded understanding of what his officers face on the ground.
His leadership philosophy is built on servant leadership. “As a leader, I believe we come not to be served, but to lead by example in serving,” he says. In practice, that means being present. He interacts unassumingly with his officers, recognises good work – whether it’s a solid arrest or a quiet act of service – and keeps the team engaged through regular conversations and monthly messages. “Hopefully that makes officers feel not just like a digit, but a valued member of a family,” he shares.
That sense of family is something SAC Tan has worked hard to perpetuate. The Division even has its own signature fun shot, with officers forming the letter “L” with their fingers, something that he himself learnt and adopted from the team.
“It’s little things like this that reflect the attachment officers have to the Division,” he says. For SAC Tan, building a supportive culture is not a side project. It’s what holds the Division together.
Leading a Division Like No Other
Woodlands is not a typical heartland Division. Its position at Singapore’s northern border adds an additional layer of complexity.
SAC Tan oversees the Division’s close collaboration with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority at Woodlands Checkpoint and is steering preparations for the upcoming Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, including conducting joint exercises and contingency planning.
On any given day, his officers are also helping to apprehend wanted individuals attempting to cross the border. “The checkpoints are the gateway to Singapore,” he says. “We need to respond fast to security incidents.”
Cybercrime is another growing priority. SAC Tan has to ensure his Division keeps pace, building capabilities and equipping officers with skills that go well beyond traditional policing. “Our officers not only have to be fit and proficient marksmen, but also fly drones, navigate the cybercrime landscape, and deploy AI in their work,” he notes.
“We invest heavily in training because we believe our people are our greatest asset,” says SAC Tan, who has made it a point to ensure that all Investigation Officers in the Division undergo Cyber Forensics training and are exposed to cybercrime investigations.
The Good, the Hard and What Keeps Him Going
For SAC Tan, policing is as rewarding as it is demanding.
He recalls a security officer who approached him to share how much he valued working alongside the Police on security exercises, keeping tokens from community events over the years as a reminder of the bond built. “That conversation stayed with me,” SAC Tan says.
It reinforced something he already believed – that the best outcomes come from relationships built on sincerity. “The Police can’t work alone. It’s through shared efforts that we build trust and collectively contribute to safer neighbourhoods.”
SAC Tan is also candid about the weight the role that police officers carry. As an investigator, handling deaths can be hard, not just the investigations, but the conversations with grieving families. Major event planning brings its own pressure too, with crowds of up to half a million people and ground situations that can shift in an instant. “Even with the best plans, things can get unpredictable,” he says. “But that is also part of what makes this job challenging and interesting.”
What keeps him going, ultimately, is the people. “The most meaningful part of this role is developing officers to be the best versions of themselves and providing residents with peace and security in the place they call home.”
For anyone thinking about joining the SPF, SAC Tan has this to say: “If you like challenges, have a sense of justice, and are driven by purpose, there is really never a boring moment.”
Get to know SAC Tan beyond his role as we put him under pressure for 60 seconds!
Coffee with a Commander Series
In this series, we hear from SPF Commanders on their motivations, challenges and leadership journeys. Read the story of Commander of Police Coast Guard SAC Ang Eng Seng.
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
