MP Louis Ng continues to try different jobs by joining police unit for a day

MP Louis Ng (middle) speaking to a resident in Nee Soon during his day-long experience as a police officer. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/LOUIS NG

SINGAPORE - MP Louis Ng's bid to try out different jobs to better understand the issues they face has taken him to the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

In a Facebook post, the first-term MP shared his day-long experience on Wednesday (April 20) patrolling the Nee Soon area he represents together with officers from the Yishun North Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) Community Policing Unit.

Mr Ng said "not many people" are aware of the unit, which conducts foot and bicycle patrols to build closer relationships with community stakeholders.

"Started at 7.30am and we engaged stall owners in Nee Soon, spoke to preschoolers, engaged foreign workers at their dormitory, did a roadshow at the Yishun Bus Interchange and patrolled Northpoint.

"It was a hectic day and I'm very glad I gained this experience."

Donning police shorts as part of SPF's community patrol attire, the 37-year-old quipped that "my butt hurts from all that cycling".

On a serious note, he pointed to dedicated and passionate Home Team officers as a key factor behind Singapore's reputation as one of the safest cities in the world.

He wrote: "They put their lives on the line to protect us and every day they put their heart and soul into keeping Singapore safe."

Mr Ng, who is the founder of the Animal Concerns Research & Education Society, announced last November that he will be trying out different jobs for "some first-hand experience".

He did a shift as a healthcare worker at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

He also spent a day as a private car hire driver in December. The 11 passengers who took his car were given rides for free, while Mr Ng donated the fare amount he would have collected.

In January, he swept the streets and emptied rubbish bins along with Nee Soon Town Council cleaners.

In March, he served as a coffee shop cleaner in Nee Soon East.

Mr Ng has said that he has the chance to try 60 jobs in one five-year term of office, but he will want to return to some of the jobs he has tried to see if conditions improve after he gave feedback.

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