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A complete experience
A career in the SPF gives DSP Lian many opportunities to serve the community.
PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
HE DESCRIBES his career to date, as “a long journey in a short span of five years.”
And it is apparent from his account that he has achieved much in that time.
Only 29, Lian Ghim Hua is already a Deputy Superintendent of Police, and enjoying a career which was not among his top choices after he finished his A Levels at Raffles Junior College in 1998.
He says: “I did not know much about police work and what a police career offered at that time. Nevertheless, I kept an open mind.”
A tea session with working police officers during a road show organised by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) changed his mind and launched him into a career which, he says, has given him many opportunities for learning and growth as well enhanced his work and life ex-periences.
DSP Lian earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in engineering management from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, on an SPF overseas scholarships from 1999 to 2003.
He entered the SPF in 2003 holding the rank of assistant superintendent of police after completing nine months of training at the police academy.
For the past year, he has been on secondment to the Ministry of National Development (MND) where he holds the position of assistant director in the infrastructure division. He returns to the police force at the end of this year.
He explains: “SPF overseas scholars are placed on the Public Service Commission management associate programme, which provides a platform for the assessment and appointment of suitable candidates to the Administrative Service.“As part of the evaluation, we have the opportunity to spend two years out of SPF in a ministry to work in a different field.”
On his MND work, DSP Lian says: “I spend my time looking at how to sharpen Singapore’s competitive edge by strengthening our standing as a premier Garden City, how to enhance the quality of life for our people through the provision of more attractive green recreational spaces.”
He adds: "I relish this opportunity to get out of my police uniform and gain different perspectives on how the government works."
"I am challenged with new problems, and in the process, I acquire new skills, new experiences, a broader outlook and a more analytical mind."
DSP Lian is also enthusiastic about his SPF career. “The work of police officers has a very real and immediate impact on society. We face problems on a day-to-day basis. I have personally gained tremendous satisfaction from my work, be it in the formulation of strategic plans or the successful execution of an ambush operation,” he says.
He adds that job rotations for senior officers within the force at both headquarters and operational levels give them staff experience as well as ground exposure.
"The police also have to work closely in partnership with those in the private and people sectors. You will have many opportunities to be tested and groomed for leadership."
"I would say that a career with SPF is one which reaches out to the mind as well as the heart, giving one an all-rounded and complete experience."
"You must have the intellect to handle the complexities of policing in the 21st century, and the heart to sustain a deep passion for the work."
About his first operational posting as an investigation officer, he recalls: "I never had a dull moment."
"From interviewing witnesses to crimes and counselling victims of family violence to breaking down suspects and conducting raids, ambushes or field enquiries – these truly enriched my life and broadened my exposure."
After that, he went through a staff posting in planning and operations at the police headquarters and later, to a command posting at the Bukit Merah East Neighbourhood Police Centre. Among the many attributes he acquired were two vital ones: how to be an effective leader and rally his officers and how to practise "servant leadership," or to be a leader in the service of the community.
He says many people have described policing as "One Career, Many Experiences."
He urges school leavers to find out more about all the scholarships available and make informed decisions.
He says: "If they find that policing is something for them, then I'd say, go for it."