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Behind the Police Pal storybook series are six volunteer writers who drew on their skills and experiences to weave important safety lessons into stories for young readers. Each book helps children understand what to do and who they can turn to when they need help.

On 5 October 2026, Ms Sim Ann, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Home Affairs, launched the final book in the series, Run, Hide and Tell: An SGSecure Story, at West Spring Primary School. She also presented four of the six volunteer writers in attendance with a token of appreciation.

From the First Page to the Last

The Police Pal storybook series began with Mr Kong Tin Jun, who was seconded from the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) to the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) Community Partnership Department (CPD) from 2022 to 2024. Tasked with finding meaningful ways to engage young people, he saw an opportunity to reach preschoolers through storytelling. He proposed the series – and wrote the first book himself.

“Police Pal Ray was already a well-loved character, and children learn best through stories – that’s how the idea for the storybook series came about,” he shared.

Having studied communications, Mr Kong had always wanted to write a children’s book. Each story in the series centres on a key lesson, with Ray guiding the main character. In The Boy Without His Shoes, Ray helps a worried parent find a missing child, introducing children to the idea that Police officers are people they can trust.

“A child who grows up seeing officers as friends they can trust is more likely to approach one when they need help,” he said. “Plus, it’s rewarding to know that they might remember something from your book when they need it most.”

Continuing the series, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ang Sze Ling, a Planning Officer with the SPF’s Ops-Tech Department, wrote the final SGSecure-themed storybook. In it, Ray teaches children how to run quickly and quietly from danger, hide in a safe place and tell a trusted adult.

ASP Ang came across the writing opportunity while on maternity leave through the Public Service Division’s gig work programme, which allows public service officers to contribute their skills to projects across government agencies.

A former secondary school Science and English teacher, she saw the project as a chance to combine her classroom experience with her policing background. Her experience producing crime prevention content for Jurong Police Division’s social media platforms had also taught her how to make safety messages engaging and easy to understand.

“Through policing, I’ve seen the importance of public education and community awareness,” she said. “This project allowed me to contribute in a way that was meaningful for young children.” Having worked on the book for almost two years, holding the finished copy was especially meaningful for ASP Ang. “I hope the book reassures children that they’re never alone, even when something feels scary or uncertain,” she said.

Different Voices, One Shared Purpose

For Ms Klarissa Khor from the CSA, writing the second book, The Playground Princess, meant finding a way to introduce young readers to the issue of bullying. She worked with the CPD team to develop key messages on kindness and seeking help from trusted adults. In the story, Ray helps a princess who is being bullied, even though she had been rude to him.

A former secondary school teacher with little experience with preschoolers, Ms Khor borrowed children’s books to understand how to make her story engaging and age- appropriate.

“I hope that readers will relate to Ray and stand up for those who are being hurt,” she said. “At the same time, I hope that readers who relate to the princess will also learn that life is better journeyed together with friends.”

For Ms Nadhirah Fahtulrazi, who wrote Road Safety Day!, the challenge was making road safety lessons engaging without making the story instructional. Having spent much of her career writing for adults in branding and public communications, she had to find a way to weave road safety messages, such as not crossing behind a car, into a story children would enjoy.

“I liked that the end goal wasn't just to tell a story, but potentially to help children stay a little safer on the road.” she said. “I hope the book makes road safety feel fun rather than frightening!”

Drawing on her experience in cyber wellness education, Ms Yeo Li Yen, a teacher at the Ministry of Education, wrote Fun at the Fair! Set at a funfair with tempting prizes, the story introduces children to how scams work. As a mother, she also drew inspiration from how she would want her children to respond to such situations.

“It’s a great feeling to think that I’ve helped to grow this awareness that can keep them safe,” she said. “If something feels too good to be true, or just doesn’t sit quite right, stop, think and check.”

For Ms Elizabeth Heng, a learning designer at the Civil Service College, writing Ling’s Missing Tricycle was an opportunity to make storytelling interactive. She turned the story into a mystery with clues and added flaps so children could take part in solving it.

The tricycle itself was also inspired by her childhood memories of riding one.

“It was nice to be able to take these little memories from my own life and put them into a story for children,” she said. “I hope they remember a very simple message: if something doesn’t belong to you, ask for permission before taking it.”

Turning Skills into Service

While the first storybook series has come to an end, the lessons these volunteers helped bring to life will continue to reach young readers. Their experiences are also a reminder that there are different ways to support the SPF beyond traditional policing roles, and that making a difference doesn’t always require a uniform.

Series one may be over, but Police Pal is not. Look out for the new Police Pal animation series based on the first storybook series, and the upcoming Police Pal storybook series two, launching in 2027.

For members of the public who wish to contribute, the SPF’s Episodic Volunteering Programme offers flexible, ad-hoc opportunities to put their skills to good use.

Ready to embark on a rewarding journey with the SPF and make a difference to the community? Step up and join the Episodic Volunteering Programme and play your part in building a safer Singapore.

Looking for volunteering opportunities for the year-end? Email Police_Pal@SPF.gov.sg if you are interested in volunteering for Series Two of the Police Pal storybooks.

Read the Police Pal Storybook series now!