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When Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) officer Inspector (Insp) (V) Shaun Whitmarsh completed his National Service with the Singapore Police Force in 2016, he thought he was closing a chapter of his life.

Having served as a Ground Response Force officer at Serangoon Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC), Insp (V) Shaun found himself missing the camaraderie of his team and, more importantly, the sense of purpose that came with the job. “Whether it’s helping a person in need or upholding the law to keep Singapore safe and secure, what we do has a real impact on the community,” he says.

Looking for a way to continue serving, he found his answer in the VSC. “Each shift brought new challenges, and I felt I was contributing to keeping Singapore safe,” he recalls. Joining the VSC in 2019 allowed him to continue doing meaningful police work while building a career in the Civil Service.

Seven years on, he’s now a VSC Team Leader at Sengkang NPC, leading a team of 15 officers from both the VSC and VSC (Community) schemes.

Back on the Beat

On operational shifts, Insp (V) Shaun is typically deployed alongside a regular Police officer, attending to 999 calls and patrolling the Sengkang neighbourhood. His volunteer duties also include training, monthly team meetings and deployments at major events such as the Singapore F1 Grand Prix and the National Day Parade.

One incident that has stayed with him involved a person undergoing a mental health episode. “The individual had locked himself in his room and refused to cooperate despite my colleagues’ attempts to calm him down,” he recalls.

When Insp (V) Shaun stepped in to speak to him, the man gradually calmed down and the situation was resolved without further intervention. “This case reminded me how VSC officers can make a real impact when we perform our duties,” he says.

Leading from the Front

Insp (V) Shaun was appointed VSC Team Leader in 2023 after serving a year as Deputy Team Leader. “As a VSC Team Leader, I’m responsible for the wellbeing of volunteers under my care, and for ensuring they remain competent and confident Police officers,” he says.

Central to his approach is understanding what motivates each officer to volunteer. “Knowing what drives each officer helps me ensure they continue to find meaning in their work,” he explains. “It also allows me to direct them towards opportunities that keep them engaged.”

This means taking a genuine interest in his officers, whether by encouraging them to pursue weapon certification, nominating deserving officers for awards or simply bringing the team together over a meal each month to catch up beyond police work.

Through these efforts, he hopes to build a motivated team while helping his officers to grow as Police officers. “Beyond formal recognition, there’s real satisfaction in simply knowing we’ve made a difference,” he says.

Insp (V) Shaun’s commitment to fellow volunteers extends beyond his own team. As Honorary Secretary of the VSC Sports and Welfare Association and Chairperson of the planning committee for VSC Appreciation Night 2025, he has also contributed to the welfare and engagement of the wider VSC community.

Making It Work

Balancing a full-time career, personal commitments and volunteering requires deliberate effort, but Insp (V) Shaun manages by scheduling his commitments in advance and communicating early with his family.

What keeps him going is the people he serves alongside. “Seeing my fellow VSC colleagues putting in the hours and remaining passionate about their work – their passion inspires mine,” he says.

For those considering joining as VSC officers, his message is simple: “It’s deeply rewarding to give time and effort to a cause that you resonate with. It’s also an opportunity to pick up new skills and experiences while making new friends along the way.”

Volunteers in Blue

In this series, we spotlight our dedicated volunteers who serve with passion and commitment across various schemes within the SPF.

Ready to embark on a rewarding journey with the SPF and make a difference in the community? Find out how you can join the VSC or visit our Join Us section to step up to a career that goes beyond.