Inspired by her uncle’s career as an officer, Ms Jerene Chan set her sights on serving in blue through the Home Team Diploma Sponsorship.
By: Glenn Wong
For Ms Jerene Chan, a second-year Maritime Business student at Singapore Polytechnic, the decision to apply for a Home Team Diploma Sponsorship was influenced by a conversation she had with her father.
“My father often told me how my uncle was a troublemaker growing up,” she shared. “However, when he joined the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in 1988 as a patrol officer, he started to be more disciplined, which was a big transformation from his former self.”
Inspired to Serve
Jerene’s uncle would go on to serve 32 years in the SPF. As he shared with her stories about his postings, such as his time with the Major Crime Division of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Jerene learnt about the opportunities for growth within the Force.
“When I was younger, I also attended events like the Police Community Roadshow and Home Team Festival, where there’d be live demonstrations of the SPF’s capabilities,” she recalled. “Seeing these as a young girl, I was in awe of the professionalism of Police officers in the varied work they do.”
This blend of experiences solidified her resolve: “It motivated me to join the Force and serve the nation by keeping Singapore crime-free.”
It was a special moment for Jerene and her family when the sponsorship offer came. “When I accepted the sponsorship, my parents were very supportive,” she recounted. Her uncle was also “surprised, joyful and excited” for her journey to come in the SPF.
Navigating a Future in Blue
As for why she decided to pursue a Diploma in Maritime Business, the inspiration came early. “As a young student, I often read about how Singapore grew to be one of the top entrepots in the world,” she recalled. “So, you could say that I was inspired by the growth of our maritime sector.”
Her father’s career in logistics management also ignited her interest to pursue a Diploma in Maritime Business, where she will study subjects like maritime law, maritime navigation and port operations. Given her interest and aptitude, Jerene hopes to explore future roles with the Police Coast Guard.
Before that, however, she’s excited to serve on the frontline patrolling our neighbourhoods as a Ground Response Force officer. She also hopes to learn from senior officers and mentors throughout her journey, to grow personally and professionally.
“Ultimately, I want to work together with other officers to uphold the SPF’s vision of making Singapore the safest place in the world,” she shared.
Home Team Sponsorship Award Ceremony 2025
This year’s Home Team Sponsorship Award Ceremony was held on 30 May 2025 at the Home Team Academy. Congratulations to this year’s sponsorship award recipients and all the best for your studies!
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