From managing daily operations at Woodleigh NPC to suiting up with the Special Women Task Team, ASP Esther Chan shares the motivations and challenges of frontline policing.
By: Hoon Jeng Jee
For Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Esther Chan, “no two days are ever the same” isn’t a cliche — it’s her reality.
As a Team Leader at Woodleigh Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC), ASP Chan oversees a team of Ground Response Force (GRF) officers in their duties and manages incidents on the ground.
But her responsibilities stretch far beyond routine checks. At any moment, she might be guiding her team through a dispute between neighbours, responding to an emergency call or stepping in to support her officers through high-stress incidents.
“The moment you come to work till you end your shift, you’ll never know what’s going to happen next,” she shared with a smile.
A Calling to Public Service
From a young age, ASP Chan was drawn to the idea of serving others.
Her involvement in the National Police Cadet Corps from secondary school through junior college sparked an early fascination with the Singapore Police Force (SPF). But her path to becoming a Police officer wasn’t always linear.
While pursuing her Life Sciences degree at the National University of Singapore, ASP Chan explored other civil service pathways. She interned at the National Environment Agency and the National Parks Board, where she worked on the Tray Return Initiative and nature-related education programmes — experiences that deepened her interest in public service.
“I wanted to be part of the Public Service to lend people a helping hand,” she explained, “and I felt that being a Police officer was one of the most direct ways to do so because we’re given the power to help others.”
After completing her training in 2020, ASP Chan began a five-month attachment as a GRF officer at Bukit Timah NPC before joining Tanglin Police Division as an Investigation Officer (IO).
During her time as an IO, ASP Chan served in the Special Victims Unit, where a case of sexual crime left a deep impression.
“Hearing the victim share about the abuse she suffered for many years really stuck with me,” ASP Chan recalled. “So it was very meaningful when my team and I conducted a raid to arrest the offender and seek justice for her.”
Moments like these reinforce why ASP Chan chose to serve in blue. “Being a Police officer gives me the privilege to make a difference in people’s lives. It’s not something that every job can offer,” ASP Chan added.
Breaking Ground with the SWTT
Today, ASP Chan wears two hats. Beyond her day-to-day leadership role at Woodleigh NPC, she holds a secondary appointment with the Special Women Task Team (SWTT), a unit of female officers trained in tactical operations under the Special Operations Command.
ASP Chan’s interest in joining the SWTT was sparked by an internal recruitment email she saw in 2023. “I was curious to see how I could contribute differently as a woman in the Force,” she said.
From crowd control at election rallies to high-security deployments, ASP Chan and her SWTT team undergo regular training to ensure they’re mission-ready. “Before every deployment, we go through refresher sessions to be familiar with passive resistance techniques and our operational protocols,” she explained.
Balancing her roles in Woodleigh NPC and the SWTT isn’t always easy – but ASP Chan is grateful for the strong support system at work.
“I’m thankful for my supervisors and colleagues,” she explained. “When I’m called back for SWTT duties, my Deputy Team Leader steps in to cover my shifts so I can serve where I’m needed.”
Navigating Highs and Lows
Frontline policing is physically and emotionally demanding, and ASP Chan admits that time management has been one of her biggest challenges.
“You have to balance your work, family and personal time very carefully. This job is versatile and unpredictable, so you learn to make time for yourself,” she said.
As she handles different cases every day, ASP Chan also has to learn to maintain professionalism and composure in emotionally charged situations.
“It’s not every day that you see attempted suicides or deaths, but a Police officer may encounter multiple of such incidents in a day.”
“That’s not to say we become emotionless,” ASP Chan clarified. “We all have our own ways of coping. For me, spending time with my dogs and family helps me reset.”
She also finds comfort in the camaraderie of her teammates, “Your colleagues are the ones who truly understand what you’re going through. That kind of support makes a big difference.”
Eyes on the Future
Looking ahead, ASP Chan is open to exploring a range of postings, whether in operations or investigations. “I’m still young in the Force, and there’s a lot I haven’t seen,” she said. “But I know that no matter where I go, there’s always something new to learn.”
To those considering a career in the SPF, ASP Chan offers this advice: “If you enjoy challenging yourself and thrive under pressure, SPF is the place to be. Being a Police officer isn’t that different from other jobs, but the impact you make is far greater!”
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