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For Sergeant (Sgt) Johnny Tan, policing has never been just a job. It’s a natural expression of who he is. As a Community Policing Unit (CPU) officer at Pasir Ris Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC), Sgt Johnny has built his life around a single conviction: that a safer community is one built by the community itself. It’s a belief that has shaped not only his career but the volunteer roles he plays beyond the uniform.

From Passion to Purpose

Sgt Johnny’s path to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) was one he’d long envisioned. After completing his National Service with the Army, he joined the SPF in 2018. Having volunteered extensively before joining the Force, his posting to the CPU felt like a homecoming. “It felt like precisely where I was meant to be,” he says.

Serving as a bridge between the Police and the community, CPU officers engage residents, identify concerns early and connect vulnerable individuals with the support they need. Through regular outreach and engagements, they build trust and strengthen crime prevention efforts.

When Sgt Johnny joined Pasir Ris NPC’s CPU in May 2023, he took on two portfolios close to his heart – residents and youth.

For his residents’ portfolio, he monitors family-related cases such as domestic disputes and family violence, following up regularly with affected families to offer guidance and refer them to the appropriate agencies when needed. He works closely with Family Service Centres, the Ministry of Social and Family Development and grassroots organisations to help residents access resources such as counselling, financial assistance and social support.

He also manages a team of Citizens-on-Patrol (COP) volunteers who help keep a lookout for safety and security concerns in the neighbourhood.

For his youth portfolio, Sgt Johnny handles youth-at-risk cases and conducts crime prevention talks at schools, from preschools to tertiary institutions to raise awareness and encourage young people to make informed choices.

Policing with a Human Touch

In Sgt Johnny’s view, what sets community policing apart is the depth of connection officers can build with the people they serve. “Community policing allows us to present a more approachable side of policing,” he explains. “When residents feel comfortable enough to seek you out or simply stop you on the street for a conversation, you know that trust has been established – and that means everything to me.”

That trust has been tested in ways Sgt Johnny will never forget. During a particularly difficult period, a resident whom Sgt Johnny had been supporting reached out to him after office hours. In that moment of deep distress, Sgt Johnny stayed on the phone, speaking calmly to keep the resident grounded while coordinating with his colleagues to get help. The resident eventually received the assistance that he needed.

“It’s about being present for someone at their lowest point,” he says. “Knowing that I played a part in saving someone’s life means more to me than words can express.”

Making Preparedness Second Nature

Beyond building trust, Sgt Johnny also helps residents prepare for emergencies through SGSecure. Launched in 2016, SGSecure is a national movement that calls for community vigilance, unity and resilience against terrorism through three core actions: staying alert, staying united and staying strong.

As the movement marks its 10th anniversary, Sgt Johnny continues to incorporate SGSecure advisories, such as the “Run, Hide, Tell” response to a terrorist attack, into house visits, community engagements and training for COP volunteers.

“SGSecure equips residents with the knowledge and confidence to act when it matters most,” he says. “But these messages must become second nature. When something happens, you want people to already know, instinctively, what to do.”

A Commitment that Never Clocks Out

Sgt Johnny’s commitment to the community extends beyond his working hours. A grassroots leader since 2014, he currently serves the Kaki Bukit community as Chairman of the Community Emergency and Engagement Committee (C2E) and Assistant Treasurer of the Citizens’ Consultative Committee. He’s also a Council Member on the People’s Association C2E Council Executive Committee.

Through these roles, he organises training for residents in lifesaving skills, fire safety and crisis response. He also oversees Community Emergency Response Team volunteers who are trained to render first aid, assist with evacuations and support residents during emergencies.

As a COP volunteer, Sgt Johnny also joins evening patrols in the Yishun neighbourhood, looking out for anything unusual and reporting concerns to the relevant agencies. “Our presence serves as a deterrent and residents take comfort in knowing that there are people in the community actively looking out for one another,” he says.

SaferSG, Together

Juggling his CPU work, C2E commitments and COP volunteering may seem daunting, but Sgt Johnny sees the three roles as a triangle where each reinforces the other. “Together, my roles give me a complete picture of the community I serve, and I believe that makes me more effective in each of them.”

For Sgt Johnny, community safety is a shared responsibility. “Something as simple as reporting a suspicious individual or checking in on a vulnerable neighbour can make a profound difference,” he says. “That’s the kind of community spirit that keeps our neighbourhoods safe – and it begins with us.”

It’s a belief he puts into practice, both on and off duty. “Serve with passion and passion to serve. When you truly care about the work, it never feels like a burden – it simply becomes a natural expression of who you are.”

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

Ready to embark on a rewarding journey with the SPF and make a difference to the community? Find out how you can join the COP to play your part in building a safer Singapore.

Find out how you can partner with the SPF and play your part in making Singapore a safer place at SaferSG, Together.