Officers lauded at police commendation ceremony

Outstanding police, auxiliary officers given awards by police commissioner

Among those who received the Team Commendation awards yesterday were (from left) Certis Cisco officers Yusaini Selamat, Simon Laurance, Tan Jea How and Irene Ho Yuet Pheng.
Among those who received the Team Commendation awards yesterday were (from left) Certis Cisco officers Yusaini Selamat, Simon Laurance, Tan Jea How and Irene Ho Yuet Pheng. NEW PAPER PHOTO: CHOO CHWEE HUA

Growing up, Ms Cyndi Koh Yu Shan wanted to be a lawyer. But today, the 29-year-old finds satisfaction in fighting for justice as a senior investigation officer at the Criminal Investigation Department .

Since being posted to the Special Investigation Section (SIS) almost two years ago, she has handled several high-profile cases, such as the Choa Chu Kang murder in January last year.

Yesterday, Assistant Superintendent Koh was one of 178 individuals awarded for outstanding work and leadership at the Commissioner of Police's Commendation Ceremony at the Home Team Academy.

"It was my first case in SIS and one of the rare murder cases where before we found the deceased person's body, we caught the accused persons," ASP Koh said, referring to the death of 37-year-old Dexmon Chua Yizhi, whose body was found in a military training area in Lim Chu Kang.

Investigations carried out by ASP Koh and her team led to the arrests of two suspects within two weeks. They were charged with the murder of the production technician at a Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4 carpark and are awaiting trial.

"We were really working against time," she said. "My family has been very encouraging about me joining the force. My mum would keep the news articles of all the cases that I have worked on. My parents will, of course, tell me to mind my safety but they have faith in the police force."

A total of 242 Team Commendation awards were also given out by Police Commissioner Hoong Wee Teck. Recipients included a team of auxiliary police officers who risked their lives to stop a car from driving into a public playground.

Certis Cisco officer Simon Laurance was on patrol with his team near Beach Road at about 9pm on Dec 19 last year when they noticed a black Mitsubishi Lancer driving towards a playground filled with children and senior citizens. "I used my torchlight to attract his attention and ran straight towards the car," said the 25-year-old.

The 37-year-old driver was later arrested after failing a breathalyser test, but not without first offering bribes to Lance Corporal Laurance and Staff Sergeant Yusaini Selamat. Both officers rejected the offers repeatedly even as the driver grew more agitated.

Five High Commendation awards, including four for rejection of bribes, were also given out yesterday.

The award recognises officers who demonstrate the police core values of courage, loyalty, integrity and fairness.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 27, 2015, with the headline Officers lauded at police commendation ceremony. Subscribe