As a VSC officer, Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad Radhi dedicates long hours supporting frontline policing — all while juggling full-time university studies and training fellow officers.
By: Hoon Jeng Jee and Teh Ru Xin
It’s the evening of 9 August and most people are celebrating Singapore’s 60th birthday. As fireworks burst in the background, there’s clearly a festive atmosphere in the air. But for Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) officer Sergeant (Sgt) (V) Nur Ahmad Radhi, his work has just begun. Before 8pm, Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad reports to Tampines Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) and gears up in his uniform for his night shift.
As a VSC officer, Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad supports Ground Response Force (GRF) officers in conducting proactive patrols and responding to incidents. While VSC officers are expected to serve at least 16 hours monthly, Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad’s commitment to service saw him volunteering more than 40 hours in July alone.
A Calling Realised
Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad first came across the VSC officer role before enlisting for National Service (NS) in the Singapore Police Force (SPF). With an interest in law enforcement and a passion for community service, he knew this role was meant for him.
“I’ve always wanted to be part of the VSC, so I signed up right after completing NS in 2022,” Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad shared. “I wanted to explore frontline policing and I’ve not looked back since.”
After a six-month training course at the Home Team Academy, he was deployed to Tampines NPC in 2023. There, he shadowed GRF officers to learn the ropes of policing and daily operations before being deployed on the ground.
“I was quite nervous for my first ground deployment,” he recalled. “As a Police Tactical Trooper in the Special Operations Command during NS, I specialised in managing public order incidents such as riots and high-risk operations and had limited interaction with members of the public.”
Fortunately, through the guidance and mentorship of regular officers at Tampines NPC, he was able to ease into his role as a VSC officer. “Till this day, I continue to look to them for assistance and direction in times of need,” Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad added.
Making a Difference on the Ground
After two years, Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad’s favourite memories with the VSC involve encounters where he helped members of the public address their concerns. In one instance, Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad and his partner assisted a concerned grandmother whose granddaughter had left the house without anyone’s knowledge.
“We responded promptly, gathering important details such as the girl’s description and her possible locations,” Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad recalled. “We then coordinated with other officers to search the vicinity and surrounding areas where she might be.”
After hours of searching, they found the girl, much to the relief of both the family and the team.
Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad also enjoys applying problem-solving and dynamic thinking skills, such as during an incident involving an unleashed dog running on the road.
“My partner and I had to quickly assess the situation, prioritise public safety and figure out how to safely contain the dog without scaring it,” he recalled. “When the dog kept evading us, we had to get creative and ended up using a food delivery bag to contain it without harm.”
He reflected on his experience: “Being a VSC officer keeps me on my toes and motivates me to continue volunteering.”
Going the Extra Mile
Beyond his ground duties, Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad serves as a career advisor for the VSC and supports VSC recruitment efforts for Bedok Police Division. He’s also a division Police Contact Tactics trainer for VSC and VSC (Community) officers.
“I want to give back to the SPF by enhancing the competency of my peers,” Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad shared.
On top of his VSC duties, Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad is also a full-time engineering student at the Singapore Institute of Technology.
“Balancing VSC duties and my studies can be challenging, so I use time management apps to plan my schedule,” he said. “I’m grateful that the teams at Tampines NPC have been understanding and accommodating of my availability, helping me to cope with my studies and VSC responsibilities simultaneously.”
As for surviving an overnight shift, Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad has one piece of advice: get lots of sleep beforehand.
A New Dawn
Twelve hours later, the sun has risen and most people are resting after enjoying the National Day festivities. For Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad, he’s just completed a tiring shift. As he returns his equipment, the fatigue is evident throughout his body. “I’m going home to sleep,” he said with a tired smile. “Then I’ll spend the day with my parents.”
But as varied as his shifts are, Sgt (V) Nur Ahmad still finds much purpose in serving the community as a VSC officer. “If you have the passion to serve and want to learn how officers keep Singapore’s streets safe, give it a try!”
Volunteers in Blue
In this series, we shine a spotlight on our dedicated volunteers who serve with passion and commitment across various schemes within the SPF. Read about other volunteer stories here.
Ready to embark on a rewarding journey with the SPF and make a difference in the community? Find out how you can join the VSC here or visit our website to step up to a career that goes beyond.
Explore Our Content
Editor's Pick
