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When Superintendent of Police (Supt) (NS) Lum Hui joined the Public Transport Security Command (TransCom) as a Full-time Police National Service (PNSF) officer in 2011, he couldn’t have anticipated just how far that posting would take him.

Starting as a Deputy Team Leader, he continued serving in TransCom as an Operationally Ready Police National Service (PNS) officer after completing his full-time National Service (NS) in 2013. Over the years, he assumed greater responsibilities, serving as NS Team Leader and then NS Commanding Officer before becoming NS Head Operations, his current role.

Safeguarding the Public Transport Network

TransCom officers conduct high-visibility patrols across MRT stations and bus interchanges to deter and detect crime, respond to incidents and assist vulnerable commuters such as the elderly or persons in distress. They also work closely with public transport operators and agencies such as the National Crime Prevention Council on crime prevention programmes, and participate in contingency planning and inter-agency exercises to maintain operational readiness.

The role requires more than tactical skills. As Supt (NS) Lum found out early in his posting, empathy and adaptability are just as important.

“One of my first cases as a PNSF officer involved a missing child,” he recalls. “It required me to adapt and draw on a very different skill set as the case demanded far more empathy and patience than a security incident would.”

“With a worried parent, I had to stay calm and gather details about the child gently, while security incidents call for a quick, tactical assessment of the threat,” he shares.

Staying Ready for the Call

Despite the breadth and depth of their work, PNS officers in TransCom often contend with a common misconception: that they carry fewer responsibilities than regular officers. Supt (NS) Lum is quick to set the record straight.

Most TransCom officers are PNSF officers – trained and equipped to perform the same frontline policing duties as our regular officers,” he says.

As NS Head Operations, he oversees the operational readiness of PNS officers for peacetime operations and national emergencies. This includes monitoring their competencies, overseeing training and recertification, and ensuring NS leaders are well-prepared for their responsibilities.

In February 2026, his team planned and conducted an open mobilisation exercise that included a ground deployment component for mobilised PNS officers. The exercise tested TransCom’s preparedness and validated operational procedures in the event of a national emergency.

Growing as a Leader

A turning point in Supt (NS) Lum’s leadership journey came in 2023, when he attended the Singapore Police Force Command and Staff Course.

“The course reorientated my view of leadership from command and decisiveness to taking care of our people, building trust and developing future leaders,” he shares.

He has since applied this approach as a Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) leader in Tanglin Police Division. He helps identify VSC officers with leadership potential, gives them opportunities to lead projects and guides their development before nominating them for the annual progression interview.

He also believes in creating an environment where officers feel comfortable speaking up. “In team discussions, I go round the table so that everyone has a chance to speak up, including the quieter colleagues,” he explains. “When problems are raised, I respond with curiosity rather than blame.” Over time, he’s seen his team grow more comfortable raising issues early, allowing problems to be resolved before they escalate.

The People Behind the Service

Beyond his operational responsibilities, what Supt (NS) Lum values most about his time in TransCom is the friendships and camaraderie he’s built with his fellow PNS officers over the years.

“I make an effort to know my officers as individuals, beyond the duties they perform,” he says. “When I know their stories and motivations, I can tell when someone is stretched or stressed and adjust accordingly.”

These relationships also serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifices that PNS officers, their families and their employers make. “I should lead with appreciation for that,” he adds.

It’s this sense of gratitude – for his team, his family and his employer’s support – that keeps him going. “I’m motivated by knowing that our PNS officers’ work on the ground helps keep the public transport system safe,” he says.

Looking back on more than a decade of service in TransCom, Supt (NS) Lum is grateful for the experiences and people who have shaped his journey. “My NS experience has contributed greatly to my personal and professional growth as a leader.”

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