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When he was a child, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Alden Tan was glued to every episode of Crimewatch, the long-running info-educational series that brings Police cases to life through re-enactments.
Each episode ends with a Police officer presenting the case’s outcome and offering crime prevention messages – a role that ASP Tan now fulfils as a senior investigation officer (IO) with the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
“It’s really come full circle – from being a kid watching the show to now helping to host it,” says the 25-year-old.
Crimewatch was the spark that ignited ASP Tan’s passion for the Police Force, so stepping onto the programme’s set – and into the Police station each day – feels surreal, he says.
“I see all the Police cars that I used to be so excited about, and now I’m actually working on cases.”
ASP Tan’s passion for Police work led him to accept The SPF Scholarship in 2018. He was also one of five recipients of the prestigious President’s Scholarship awarded that year.
He chose to study economics and computer science at Yale University, combining his interest in economics from junior college with his recognition of technology’s growing role in modern-day policing.
“Many crimes are moving into the digital space. We deal with scams, harassment and doxxing that occur online,” he says. “Having a technical background helps when investigating such crimes or developing policies to address them.”
After graduating in 2022, ASP Tan was attached to SPF’s Anti-Scam Command (ASCom) for three months before starting his training in the Senior Officer Basic Course. The following year, he was posted to Orchard Neighbourhood Police Centre as a ground response force officer before joining Tanglin Division as an IO.
His current responsibilities include visiting crime scenes to gather evidence, interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects, and organising evidence to build a case against those accused of a crime.
His case files read like a living ethnography of Singapore. One day he is gathering evidence at a luxury mansion or regal embassy; the next day, he could be in a rental flat or dingy alleyway. Cases involve people across all levels of society – from persuasive lawyers and hardened criminals to young offenders.
“As an investigator, you never know what cases await when you are on duty,” he adds.
The role has deepened his understanding of human nature and taught him to approach cases with greater empathy. “Some accused persons who commit crimes are driven to their wits’ end, often lacking necessary social and familial support,” he says.
One incident that stuck with ASP Tan involved a family of three facing theft charges. The mother, who was the sole breadwinner, was struggling with mental health issues herself while caring for her husband who showed signs of dementia and their adult son with autism who needed constant care.
“The family was barely making ends meet so I approached the situation with empathy and compassion,” he says. “After carrying out my investigations, I referred the family for social assistance and helped ensure they received resources that could help them navigate this difficult period.”
As an SPF scholar, ASP Tan has also found opportunities to take on exciting projects that align with his interests, alongside his policing duties.
Last June, ASP Tan took on a concurrent role in SPF’s ops-tech department to work on initiatives in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI).
He plays a key role in implementing AI capabilities across the Force to enhance SPF’s operations and work processes. Additionally, ASP Tan collaborates with stakeholders on AI governance to ensure the technology is used safely, and to maintain public trust.
To stay ahead of the rapidly evolving field, he recently completed an AI governance course, equipping him with the knowledge to support his work effectively.
“While relying on technology, we must recognise that policing is at its core a people-centric endeavour and we must preserve the human touch.”
– ASP Alden Tan, recipient of The Singapore Police Force Scholarship
This opportunity to pursue specialised interests is not unique to ASP Tan. After all, SPF scholars are encouraged to take on projects and roles that align with their skills and passions.
“Officers can explore various paths to build expertise across a range of functional domains,” he says. “Regardless of your background, there will always be something suitable for you and your interests within the SPF.”
The tech-savvy IO also gets to build real-world projects of his own. In July 2023, he joined the nation’s AI Trailblazers initiative with colleagues to develop practical AI solutions for the Government and industry.
Drawing from his front-line experience as an IO, he focused on solving a common challenge: Police reports lodged online by members of the public often lack crucial details.
Gathering these missing pieces of information through back-and-forth communication between officers and citizens is often time-consuming and frustrating for both parties, adds ASP Tan.
“Some citizens may be reluctant to share additional information over the phone, fearing that it might be a scam call, while others feel frustrated about having to provide more details after having already spent time lodging a report,” he says. “Likewise, for officers, gathering this missing information requires significant effort and multiple contact attempts.”
To address this problem, ASP Tan and his team developed an AI-powered chatbot that aims to streamline the process by prompting users for specific details, ensuring more complete and actionable reports right from the start.
Leveraging his technical background, he bridges the gap between front-line officers and product engineers, ensuring that solutions meet operational needs. The project earned the AI Trailblazers Innovation Award in January 2024.
Still in development, the team is working to improve the system before public deployment.
While he views technology as a way to help officers fight crime, he maintains that IOs’ most valuable asset is their interpersonal skills – something AI can never replace.
“If technology can help us improve work processes and make us more efficient, it frees up officers’ time to focus on interacting with people and to find better ways to serve members of the public,” says ASP Tan.
“While relying on technology, we must recognise that policing is at its core a people-centric endeavour and we must preserve the human touch.”
| About The SPF Scholarship The Singapore Police Force scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to candidates who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and have a strong interest in policing work. Scholars will continue their learning journeys in world-renowned universities which provide intellectually, socially and personally enriching programmes. Upon graduation, scholars will be involved in shaping policies that address issues on public law and order as well as play an integral role in protecting the country and its communities. |
This article is brought to you by the Singapore Police Force.
