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Did you know? Not all heroes wear capes: As a plain-clothes Home Team civilian officer, you can protect Singapore too

The Home Team has six civilian career tracks covering both generalist and specialist roles. Together with uniformed officers, our civilians contribute towards our mission of keeping Singapore safe and secure

There is a host of career opportunities for civilian officers in different fields in the Home Team. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

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Jumpstart your Home Team career

If you appreciate the safety and security we enjoy in Singapore and are keen to be part of efforts to safeguard our way of life, check out the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Merit Scholarship. Launched in 2019, it is awarded to candidates who wish to pursue a civilian career as a generalist under the Home Affairs Senior Executive scheme, or as a specialist in one of the five tracks: Intelligence, Psychology, Commercial Affairs, Science and Technology, and Internal Security.

You don't have to don a uniform to join the Home Team to safeguard the safety and security of Singapore. While uniformed officers are often in the public eye handling the front-line operations, there are also civilian officers - the "silent heroes" - who work alongside their uniformed counterparts.

Civilian officers with skills in different fields can take up a variety of positions, from developing and enhancing plans and policies, conducting investigation work, to innovating cutting-edge technologies in empowering the daily operations of the various Home Team Departments.

Three civilian officers tell us why they love their jobs and about their "special powers" as everyday heroes in plain clothes.

1. The Crime Scene Specialist, Science and Technology track

Mr Harith Shah Roslan, 29

Origin story: Harith had always been keen on a career in forensics. He chose to read Biomedical Science to build up his foundation and knowledge in forensic science, before he joined HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency). Now a crime scene specialist, he approaches crime scenes with a mindset that there is a logical explanation behind every action. His work merges science and crime as he pieces together information retrieved from the scene to reconstruct a sequence of events. Five years into his job, Harith says he hopes his efforts will deter crime and bring closure to victims' families.

Mission: Deployed to the Singapore Police Force to analyse crime scenes and ensure that evidence is identified, recovered and examined to facilitate investigation efforts.

Special abilities: Timely response to crime scenes. Objective assessment of the scene. Thorough documentation, search, and examination of evidence. Positive attitude towards learning. Ability to keep an open mind. Good team player.

2. The Research Analyst, Internal Security Track

'Ms Charlene Ng', 25

Origin story: 'Charlene' (pseudonym) had not planned on joining the Internal Security Department (ISD) until she chanced upon ISD's recruitment drive. During the recruitment process, she learnt more about the different roles at ISD, and realised that the role of a research analyst was aligned to her interests in writing and investigation work. Though relatively new to her job, the Social Sciences alumna from the National University of Singapore has been involved in various decision-making processes with real-world impact.

Mission: To scan the horizon for developments as well as emerging trends and security threats, make timely and accurate assessments, review policies and synthesise information into useful intelligence, help keep Singapore safe and sovereign.

Special abilities: Meticulous with an eye for detail. Ability to join the dots quickly and accurately. Interest in current affairs and ability to appreciate how global developments can impact Singapore's internal security.

3. The Investigation Officer, Commercial Affairs Track

Mr Daniel Neubronner, 26

Origin story: Daniel became interested in commercial crime when he took a forensic accounting module at university. Upon graduation, he applied for the role of an investigation officer with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) Commercial Affairs Department's International Cooperation Branch, which works with various local and foreign law enforcement agencies to investigate criminal activity with transnational elements. One year into his job, he finds it gratifying to help victims who have "unwittingly entered into transactions initiated by nefarious elements", and to bring perpetrators to justice.

Mission: To investigate money-laundering offences in Singapore, where such transactions may be tied to crimes committed overseas.

Special abilities: Healthy scepticism for information presented at face value. Ability to deal with multiple facets of the investigation process (such as interviewing victims and witnesses, gathering and analysing documentary evidence, and interrogating suspects). Keen eye for details. An inquisitive mind.

Click here to find out more about the MHA Merit Scholarship.

More about the MHA Merit Scholarship

Courses/ disciplines

For the Home Affairs Executive Scheme, Psychology, Intelligence and Internal Security tracks - most disciplines except Medicine, Dentistry and Architecture
For the Commercial Affairs track - Accountancy, Business Administration, Business, Law, Economics
For the Science and Technology track - in the area of science and technology* e.g. Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Engineering Science, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Information System & Communications Technology, Physics and Mathematics

*The list is not exhaustive

Universities/ Institutions

Renowned overseas or local universities
Value and benefits
Study at renowned overseas or local universities
Full tuition and other approved fees
Monthly overseas or local maintenance allowance (including accommodation)
Pre-studies allowance e.g. settling-in, warm clothing, computer
Return economy class airfare (for overseas scholars)
Sponsorship for exchange programmes (if requirements are met)

Requirements

Applicants should have the following qualities:
Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents intending to take up Singapore Citizenship
Good co-curricular activities (CCA) records
GCE 'A' Levels (with at least 10 academic units), International Baccalaureate (IB), Polytechnic Diploma or equivalent
Good performance in National Service (for Males)
Keen interest in a civilian career with the Home Team as a Generalist or Specialist
- Generalist:
  - Home Affairs Senior Executive
- Specialist
  - Commercial Affairs
  - Intelligence
  - Internal Security
  - Psychology
  - Science and Technology

Bond duration

Six-year bond (English-speaking countries)
Five-year bond (non-English-speaking countries)
Four-year bond (local studies