Currently a regular in the force and I notice many questions
about signing on so I'll share what I know.
I signed on as a Pre-enlistee and my interviews and assessment
took much longer than what some of the bros above shared. In my
opinion, it is easier to sign on if you are an existing Police NSF
(best to do it 6 months before you ORD).
A tip for people looking to sign on: I heard it is much harder
to get in because management has declared that manpower across all
departments are at 'comfortable' levels (even though I still hear
complaints of lack of manpower everywhere lol). In fact, the 30k
scheme is being reviewed and there are rumors that it might be
reduced back to the initial 10k scheme (because too many people
take money and run after the bond ends).
Policing work is not as simple as it seems and it will benefit
you alot if you do your own research or ask your family
members/friends who have served as regulars in SPF.
For the training itself, its 6 months of training in HTA. 3
months of POBC (Police Officer Basic Course) and 3 months of ATC
(Advanced Training Course) or also known as GRF (Ground Response
Force) course. PNSFs who are posted to NPCs as NPCOs (Neighborhood
Police Centre Officer) and sign on before they ORD will not have to
go through the training again.
The first 3 months will be pretty physical in terms of training
and there will be a FI (Field Instructor) taking your squad. The FI
is normally an NSF who has passed out from POBC a few intakes
before. A quick tip to note is that everyone outranks you in HTA
whether they are regulars or NSFs so it is not advisable to play
the 'you-are-just-a-NS-boy' card because Trainees are at the bottom
of the hierarchy. However, there is an unspoken rule that FIs would
not make things diffcult for you on purpose like they do to the NS
trainees. Still, you might encounter one or two FIs that hate every
regulars they see and would go all out to punish your squad. Not to
worry, you can always feedback to your OC and they will be
disciplined accordingly.
The only ones that get better treatment are the Senior Officer
Trainees (SOTs). Back in my time, they were untouchable and only
had to answer to their OC and whoever that was higher up.
A normal daily routine would be waking up for water parade, then
breakfast followed by singing of National Anthemn and taking Police
Pledge at the Parade Square. (As of 2016, it is no longer a daily
affair because too many people faint from standing LOL). You would
then head for PT which lasts all the way till lunch. After lunch,
you would head for lessons followed by PT/lessons till dinner.
After dinner is where you get about 1.5/2 hours of OTOT (free time)
where you can do your self training at the gym/stadium/track or
even head to the library. You will also receive a laptop for
training purposes where you have to carry it with you whenever you
have lessons so you can also self study in the bunk during OTOT.
Afterwards you would have to go for supper before you end the day
with another water parade.
During the first 3 months, there will be 3 IPPT sessions where
you have to pass the final one in order to move on to the next
course. (Can fail the first two but die die must pass the last
one). You have get 61 points in 3 stations to obtain a Pass. You
would also have to complete the PSOC (Police Standard Obstacle
Course) your full uniform and Police utility belt under a set
timing. You would also have to pass your Shooting. In short, the 2
main requirement to be in SPF is to pass your annual IPPT test and
Shooting test.
The next 3 months will be a breeze where you will have lessons
daily and will move on to SBT (Scenario Based Trainings). You will
go through trainings that are more directly related to policing
work and pick up skills that an NPCOs requires. You would also be
sponsored fully a Class 3 Driving License if you do not have one
yet. It is a crash course and if you pass on your first attempt,
you would get your license in 3 months. If you fail, SPF will
sponsor you another 2 attempts. Subsequent attempts would have to
be paid out of your own pocket. (It is advisable to pass early as
subsequent attempts would have to be booked by your CM.)
For those who already have Class 3, you would have to wait for
the rest of your squad mates. (Those holding Class 3A would have to
go for conversion test which is similar to retaking your license
but in a shorter duration).
Basically if you do not pass your TP by the time you pass out,
you will have to book the test through your Division Training
Branch (4th attempt onwards you book on your own). This will delay
your Police Driving Course as you can only go for the course after
obtaining a Class 3. The course is also important as you will
receive your Police Driving Permit after you complete the course
and it allows you to drive the Police FRC (Fast Response Car) and
vans.
When it comes to choosing your vocation, you can choose any of
the 6 land divisions (7 in 2018) or other specialist units like
SOC, PCG, APD, etc. You can submit 3 choices however there is no
guarantee you will get your first choice. It is advisable to choose
a land division for your first posting as it is where you build up
your ground work. It is also harder to transfer out of a specialist
unit.
To sum it up, being an NPCO is meaningful and challenging at the
same time. You get to meet all kinds of people and you have to be
good at taking the shit people throw at you. Take it as a job
hazard and suck it up.
Good luck to everyone applying! :)
*Sorry for the long post!
