SINGAPORE - The first batch of 144 officers under the Police force's new expert career track scheme were appointed on Thursday (Sept 1).

The scheme is a new career pathway for police officers, who will be selected and set apart to develop deep skills in the areas of investigation, special operations or intelligence.

The scheme was first unveiled during the annual Police Workplan Seminar in April. It is part of a revamp of the police force's rank structure aimed at attracting more young people and retaining good officers.

In July, the police implemented a unified rank structure for all officers - allowing junior officers seamless advancement opportunities up the ranks.

On the other hand, officers on the new expert track can advance laterally, starting out as a senior specialist, before progressing on to become a principal specialist and then finally an expert.

They were given their certificates of appointment by Commissioner Hoong Wee Teck, at a ceremony held at the Police Cantonment Complex on Thursday.

In the first batch of expert-track officers, there are two experts, 25 principal specialists and 117 senior specialists.

The officers are from various units including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the six Police Divisions, Traffic Police, Commercial Affairs Department, Police Coast Guard, and Special Operations Command and Security Command.

One of the two expert officers is Superintendent (Supt) Goh Tat Boon, 48, the head of the CID's Special Investigation Section.

In an interview with the media, Supt Goh said the new scheme would give junior officers a pool of experts they would be able to tap on. These expert-track officers would be required to mentor junior officers and will also be made to go for courses to further deepen their expertise.

"Investigation is a skill that needs to be sharpened over time, with this (scheme) it helps to specialise and provide a very structured training development, and at the end of it, it would help to enhance our skills," said Supt Goh.