First female CID chief appointed amid police leadership reshuffle

Ms Florence Chua will also assume the role of deputy commissioner of police (investigations and intelligence) in June 2018. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE - The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will be getting its first female chief from June 1, in a leadership reshuffle in the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

Ms Florence Chua, 52, will also assume the role of deputy commissioner of police (investigations and intelligence) in June. She will replace Mr Tan Chye Hee, 44, in both positions, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Wednesday (May 9).

Ms Chua will relinquish her current position as the director of the Police Intelligence Department.

A seasoned police officer, Ms Chua has held various key appointments in the SPF, including deputy director of CID and commander of Jurong Police Division.

In her current role as head of the Police Intelligence Department, Ms Chua led operations to dismantle organised crime groups and unlicensed moneylending and scam syndicates.

A highlight was cracking down on the largest illegal betting syndicate - the first case to be prosecuted under the Organised Crime Act.

Ms Chua also brought about more effective crime fighting, by integrating intelligence capabilities with front-line policing.

Mr Tan will take over as deputy commissioner of police (operations) from Mr Lau Peet Meng, 43, from June 18.

The deputy commissioner of police (operations) is responsible for all operational, training and logistical matters in the SPF.

During his time in that role, Mr Lau helped to transform the SPF by adopting new technology in crime fighting, and developing new capabilities to combat terrorism.

He will be posted to the wider public service, according to MHA.

The leadership reshuffle will also see the current chief executive of the Casino Regulatory Authority, Mr Jerry See, 49, appointed deputy commissioner of police (policy).

His successor is Mr Teo Chun Ching, 43, the current SPF director of manpower, who will also be appointed senior director of the Gambling Regulatory Unit at MHA.

Mr See's and Mr Teo's appointments will take effect on July 2.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.