Making a difference Thirteen years in the job, Supt Lau Peet Meng still looks forward to making people’s lives safer every day By Kent Chan SUPERINTENDENT Lau Peet Meng was attracted to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) Overseas Scholarship because he felt it could open the door for him to build a very special career. “I wanted to make a difference — to help people in their time of need,” says Supt Lau. “It was ultimately the nature of the job in SPF that drew me to the SPF scholarship.” Armed with the scholarship, he first went to Yale University for his undergraduate studies in political science and international relations. He then spent another year at Cambridge University, where he also studied international relations. “I’ve always been interested in people and in understanding what makes them tick individually, what keeps them together as a society, and how these societies interact with one another,” explains Supt Lau on his choice of subjects. “As a police officer, this knowledge comes in handy. We deal with people from all sectors, rich and poor. “Understanding what drives and motivates each of them — as an individual and as a group — goes a long way in preventing and solving socially deviant behaviour, which is the root of crime,” he explains. Earlier this month, Supt Lau was appointed the commander of the Central Police Division. The 32-year-old son of an army officer is now in charge of some 800 officers in one of the most visible police divisions of Singapore. Areas under the charge of this division includes the Central Business District, Chinatown, Bras Basah Road and Marina Bay, where numerous key government and business premises and facilities are located. Supt Lau describes his years in the SPF as rich and fulfilling. Prior to his current appointment, Supt Lau has held various staff and frontline appointments across different units and departments of the SPF. As the then-head of operations at Tanglin Police Division, he had to plan the deployment of hundreds of police officers. He was also seconded to the Ministry of Education as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). During his MFA stint, he was posted to Singapore’s Permanent Mission at the United Nations. He gained first-hand experience dealing with terrorism issues in his work with the counter-terrorism committee in the UN Security Council. Supt Lau might be new to his current appointment at the Central Police Division, but he already knows how he should perform his latest role. “As a commander, I worry more about whether the right people are in the right places doing the right things. It is a different kind of challenge,” he says. As a frontline police officer, Supt Lau is more than aware that there is no such thing as a “typical day”. “You never know what to expect — that’s what makes the job so rich and enjoyable. “One day, I could be dealing with the discovery of potentially hazardous materials in a sensitive establishment, and the next, with a spate of crimes against elderly persons,” he says. Supt Lau has vivid memories of some experiences in the police force. “I remember the simple joys of helping someone find their way around town when I was attached to the patrol teams. “And as an investigation officer, it brought me a lot of satisfaction when I helped bring crooks to justice,” he says. “The SPF career is very challenging. You don’t ever have to worry about not being stretched!” Into his 13th year with the SPF, Supt Lau believes that he has somewhat achieved what he wanted when he first took up the SPF scholarship — to make a difference. “Everyday, when I go home, I do ask myself if I have made someone’s life better or more meaningful that day,” he says. “A good day would be one when I have helped someone along, and made a difference for tomorrow.”