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“Wait, what? Am I going to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for an internship?”
The moment I found out, I was incredibly nervous, but excited at the same time. My Republic Polytechnic (RP) lecturers had been filling my head with stories about my seniors who’d interned with the SPF, and I just couldn’t wait to start.
I could anticipate as much as I wanted, but nothing quite prepared me for what it actually felt like.
Navigating My Way Forward
When I first started my internship in March, I was so intrigued by how everything works. As an intern journalist with Police Life, I was expected to write stories showcasing SPF officers and capabilities. It felt so surreal interacting with Police officers, but I must admit it was also intimidating.
"What if I screw up?"
That was probably one of the biggest "what-ifs" running through my head. After a while, I realised I was expecting myself to fail before I’d even begun.
But who said the “what-ifs” had to be negative?
The moment my mindset shifted, things started to click. The anxiety never fully went away, but I stopped letting it get in my way.
It’s a privilege to write about the everyday heroes working both on the frontline and behind the scenes. Having met some of the most dedicated officers – from Sgt Marcus Wong, a Police Security Command officer who’d served in the Force for two years, to a family of three volunteers who still wanted to make a difference, even in retirement – I was inspired by the stories and experiences that shaped who they are, and I can only hope I did them justice.
One Snap at a Time
Besides writing, I also had the opportunity to pick up a camera and head out for photoshoots. From profile shoots to event coverage and even going behind the scenes of Crimewatch, photography took me to places I never thought I’d experience.
I’ll be honest – when I first started, I wasn’t really familiar with using a camera. I did my very first feature shoot at the Police Coast Guard’s Brani Base, and though I was nervous about getting onto the boat, the moment I started snapping pictures, that fear slowly turned into a sense of fulfilment.
I gained a newfound respect for every officer I had the chance to feature. Some were complete naturals in front of the camera.
Of everything I've written and shot, the article on an anti-vice enforcement operation at public entertainment outlets stands out the most. Being out past midnight, following officers on a live enforcement operation and watching it all unfold in real time was something else entirely.
I remember sitting in the police van, not quite sure what to expect. We waited for the officers to give the go-ahead before moving in for pictures. And then it happened – suspects being detained, lights flashing in the dark.
In that moment, everything clicked. I thought, “This is a glimpse of what media work actually looks like.”
#OneTeam!
Working in the Multimedia Communications Division of the Public Affairs Department, I had the opportunity to sharpen my writing, photography and editing skills while meeting people who supported me throughout my journey.
With little experience as a fresh intern, I had many questions, but I wasn’t working alone. My colleagues and supervisors were always willing to help and guide me – from teaching me photo-editing skills to giving me feedback on how I could do better.
I’m truly grateful for this team. Everyone brought something different to the table, and somewhere along the way, it reminded me of a word a teacher taught me back in secondary school – “sonder.”
That word took on new meaning for me when I found myself meeting and writing about strangers I’d never expected to cross paths with, and their stories became a part of mine.
I’m glad I got to see a different side of the SPF and experience all the challenges and fun moments here. I sincerely hope that future interns who join the SPF will have even more fun while learning here.
Well, that’s all from me. Christal Maung, signing off!
