As both an educator and an Honorary VSC (School) officer, Hon ASP (V) Marc Wo shapes young lives through guidance, empathy and a steady presence that students trust and depend on.
By: Dhinesh Ravichandran
For Honorary Assistant Superintendent of Police (Volunteer) (Hon ASP(V)) Marc Wo, the job has always been about service. As an educator, he guides students through their formative years, supporting them in times of challenge and helping them make better choices. Since 2017, he has taken on a second role, serving as an Honorary Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) (School) officer under the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
The Honorary VSC (School) Scheme was introduced to place SPF-trained volunteers within schools. Officers are typically school staff with disciplinary responsibilities, empowered to act on matters involving their students, including off-campus incidents, while reinforcing crime prevention awareness among students.
Hon ASP (V) Wo’s current dual role was shaped by an initial interest in public service and his belief in guiding others towards the right path. “I applied to both the SPF and the Ministry of Education after graduation,” he says. “Both involved helping others and gave me a chance to influence lives.” However, it was what his then Vice Principal said that shaped his decision: “He told me that becoming a Police officer was well and good, but what if you could educate people to do the right thing all the time? Wouldn’t you be addressing the root cause?”
Years later, the VSC (School) scheme gave him the chance to fulfil that earlier desire, not by switching paths, but by adding greater depth to the one he was already on. While he dresses like any other school staff member during the work week, there are moments when he dons his Police uniform. “When I put it on, it changes the way students see me,” he explains. “I represent something bigger than myself, and that presence matters.”
Balancing Authority with Compassion
Hon ASP (V) Wo doesn’t lead with rules. He leads with consistency.
In school, he deals with students who cross the line, sometimes impulsively. He sees each incident as a chance to steer behaviour in the right direction rather than stamp a label on a person. “I’m strict,” he says. “But I’m also fair.”
His approach follows a clear three-step process: Apologise for your mistake. Know where your mistake lies. Never repeat it.
While this philosophy draws from his years as a teacher, his Police training grounds it in principles of law enforcement.
That grounding began with his initial VSC training at the Home Team Academy. There, he learnt relevant youth-related laws from practising lawyers and studied case examples. Since then, his knowledge has been regularly refreshed through new case updates and emerging trends. “It keeps us ready,” he says.
Over the years, Hon ASP (V) Wo approach to discipline has evolved. It’s now more restorative than regimental: “When I was in training, it was made clear that the Police are not out to arrest everyone who causes trouble. They try to educate and correct behaviour. And that stayed with me.”
The value of his dual role was made most evident a few years ago. A former student had been involved in a violent altercation. Instead of going to the police station, he returned to his old secondary school and went straight to Hon ASP (V) Wo. “He came in hurt, looking for help,” he recalls. “That moment said a lot. He didn’t see me as someone who’d scold him. He saw me as someone who would step in.” Hon ASP (V) Wo immediately checked with the Police officers to ensure a fast and appropriate response.
As a familiar, trusted figure in the school, Hon ASP (V) Wo often finds himself in situations where students come forward to confide in him about mistakes they’ve made. His rapport with them makes these conversations possible, but it also means he must guard against letting familiarity cloud his judgment.
“Whenever I’m unsure,” he says, "I’ll call my Police Liaison Officer, and we’ll talk about what is the best approach for the students.”
A Mindset of Service and Dedication
When asked what he hopes his students will remember, Hon ASP (V) Wo answers without hesitation:
“Know what to do. When to do it. And how to do it.”
He lives by that principle himself. Being in this dual role has made him more conscious of his own actions, down to the smallest habits. “I have to remind myself not to jaywalk,” he cheekily adds. “Not just because of the law, but because I have to set the right example to my students.”
Hon ASP (V) Wo sees his VSC (School) role as an extension of his personal values. It has shaped how he handles difficult conversations, how he views enforcement and how he models responsibility. “When I stand in front of a student, I’m not just a school staff member. I’m also a Police officer. And when I speak to a parent, I’m not just giving an opinion. I’m speaking from two positions of trust.”
His advice to anyone considering to be a volunteer is to approach it with the right intent: “Don’t see it as a personal achievement or recognition. Do it because you want to make a difference for others.”
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
