SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POLICE OFFICERS (Particulars)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many scholarships and bursaries there are for Police Officers; (b) how many serving officers benefited in the last five years from these scholarships and bursaries; and (c) if there is a career development program me for all officers.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are basically four types of scholarship and bursary schemes for Police officers. They are as follows:

(a) The Singapore Police Force Scholarship Scheme which, together with the Singapore Armed Forces scholarship scheme, is among the most prestigious scholarships awarded by the Public Service Commission.

A total of 15 awards have been made under this scheme since it was introduced in 1979.

(b) The Undergraduate Training Award Scheme for serving Police officers tenable at the NUS, introduced in 1982.

No award has yet been made under this scheme as the academic requirements are stringent.

(c) The Undergraduate Bursary cum Study Loan Scheme for serving Police officers tenable at the NUS, which was introduced in 1982.

A total of seven awards have been made under this scheme; and

(d) The Commissioner of Police Pre-University Studies Bursary Scheme which was introduced to help the serving junior officers upgrade their academic qualifications.

A total of 52 awards have been made under this scheme in the last five years.

In addition, the Public Service Commission also awards Overseas Merit Scholar- ships, Local Merit Scholarships and Local Merit Bursaries to those who wish to take up a career in the Police Force. Under these schemes, the award holders are appointed as senior Police officers when they complete their University studies. So far, two awards have been made under the Overseas Merit Scholarship Scheme for Police which was introduced last year. In addition, 24 awards have been made under the Local Merit Scholarship and Local Merit Bursary Schemes for Police during the last five years.

Altogether, 59 serving officers have benefited from the above schemes in the last five years.

There is a career development programme for Police officers. Their career development is closely monitored by the Career Development Committee in my Ministry. The primary objective of the Committee is to develop every officer to his fullest potential. This is done through a systematic staff appraisal system. Through this, the Committee is able to identify the potential of the officers, chart out their career path and plan and monitor their training, postings and promotion.

The Career Development Committee identifies and selects suitable officers for training courses based on their potential for development. Besides the scholarships and bursaries, there are a number of overseas and local training courses designed to prepare Police officers for higher appointments and to upgrade their professional competence. Amongst the courses are the Senior Command course, Criminal Investigation course and Instructor Training course conducted in the United Kingdom; the FBI course and the Computer Related Crime Investigation course conducted in the United States; the Crime Prevention course conducted in Japan; the Corporate Crime Investigation course conducted in Australia; the Executive Development Programme conducted by the Canadian Police College and the Non-Graduating course conducted by the National University of Singapore.

In the same manner, postings of Police officers are closely monitored to ensure better deployment. Depending on the individual's aptitude, inclination, performance and potential, postings are planned to give them maximum exposure to enable them to assume higher responsibilities. Those who do well and show good potential for further development are recommended for promotion.