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The right choice

PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Joining a uniformed group is something many Singaporeans have done at some point in their school lives.

For 34-year-old Teo Chun Ching, however, it changed the course of his life. From being a member of the National Police Cadet Corp (NPCC) during his Dunman High days, he now calls the shots as commander of the Airport Police.

What paved his way to the top job at the airport police headquarters — located near the Budget Terminal — was his decision to take up a Singapore Police Force (SPF) scholarship in 1993 after his A levels at Victoria Junior College. He scored 4As plus a distinction and merit for Special papers in mathematics and physics.

"An SPF scholarship was my first choice," says Superintendent Teo. "My days in the NPCC gave me an insight into police work."

The Public Service Commission (PSC) talent-spotted him when he was in his second year at junior college because of his academic record.

"I never really planned that far ahead," he says. "But I did think of spending some years studying overseas."

PSC helped him to get a place in the Oxford University, where he obtained a Master of Engineering degree with honours.

That turned out well for him, as his parents were blue-collar workers who could not afford to send their only child for overseas studies. Supt Teo’s father is an events management sub-contractor, while his mother is a domestic helper.

"The first person I called when I was informed I had received the scholarship was my mother," recalls Supt Teo. "She was not very happy, as she did not want me to go overseas. But later, she was very proud."

Even without the scholarship, he says he would still have considered joining the police force. But he might not have been able to enjoy the experience of studying in the United Kingdom.

His overseas stint was an eye-opener for him as he travelled to Europe and the Middle East, where he observed how people lived in different countries.

"People are more developed, in a sense. For instance, they return their trays in fast food restaurants. Western society is also generally more open-minded."

Within the hallowed halls of Oxford, a professor tutored only two students at a time. Supt Teo says: "You must be prepared. It was very good training because if you don't know your work, it's obvious."

"It was a big change for me from being in a classroom of 20 or 30 students, where it was mostly one-way."

He returned in 1997 to serve his eight-year bond, which saw him taking on various roles, among which he was an investigation officer at the Central Police Station, the head of operations and training at the Tanglin Police Division and deputy commander of the Jurong Police Division.

In 2006, he went on to take up another SPF scholarship for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at international graduate business school Insead.

"For senior police officers at a certain level, they need broader perspectives," says Supt Teo. "It's not just about catching criminals. It's also about regulating and licensing activities, engaging businesses and motivating people."

For instance, part of his role now involves discussing security issues with businesses that use the airport.

The father of two has to serve another three-year bond for his MBA sponsorship.

But this is not an issue for him.

He says: "I enjoy my work. This is my lifelong career."