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Operationally secure

The world had its eyes glued on Singapore during the historic summit between United Sates President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in last June.

The major world event went without a hitch — owing to the watertight security planning and execution by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ong Ruo Cheng and her team from the Major Security Events Division (MSED) of the Singapore Police Force’s Operations Department.

DSP Ong remembers the many sleepless nights and constant adrenaline rush the team experienced in the run-up to the summit.

“There was an extremely short runway to formulate the security plans for the historic meeting, and we had to adjust the plans according to constant changes,” she recalls.

“It is heartening to know that my team’s efforts contributed directly to the successful and safe conclusion of the summit.”

MSED implements security and contingency plans for major local and iconic international events in Singapore, such as National Day Parade, Formula One Grand Prix and Asean Summit.

DSP Ong was the first female recipient of the mid-term Local Merit Scholarship (Home Uniformed Services) from Ministry of Home Affairs in 2010 when she was reading Political Science at National University of Singapore.

The 29-year-old Operations Officer now works with other government agencies and external stakeholders, such as event organisers and venue owners, to provide policy guidance in the formulation of security plans.

While events security planning is complex, DSP Ong credits her aptitude for it to her training of over six years with the Force.

Prior to her current role, she was an Investigation Officer and then a Team Leader in a Neighbourhood Police Centre. These roles developed her resilience and trained her to look at things from different perspectives.

DSP Ong is excited to take on the new challenges facing policing, such as the proliferation of crime in the digital world. “I look forward to continuing to work with my brothers and sisters in blue, to think up creative ways to tackle crime and stay ahead in the evolving landscape.”