Couple feted for doing more than 25 years of voluntary police work
SSI (V) Regina Seet Swee Geok (left) and DSP (V) Andy Lau Kim Sui are among 627 award recipients at the annual Ministry of Home Affairs’ National Day Awards. Both received the Long Service Medal (Police), given to those who have served for at least 25 years continuously. Photo: Wee Teck Hian
SINGAPORE — When he joined the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) in secondary school 20 years ago, it marked the start of a lifelong passion for policing efforts, one that led him to the other love of his life — his wife.
Deputy Superintendent (V) Andy Lau Kim Sui went on to become a cadet inspector for another two years, where he was posted to Manjusri Secondary School to train the student cadets on drills and first-aid, and to accompany them on field camps to Pulau Ubin. It was when he joined the Singapore Police Force’s Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) that he met Ms Regina Seet Swee Geok, a fellow volunteer, whom he later married. Together, the husband-and-wife have served the VSC for 27 and 26 years, respectively. This year, they were among 627 award recipients at the annual Ministry of Home Affairs’ National Day Awards. Both received the Long Service Medal (Police) yesterday, given to those who have served for at least 25 years continuously.
VSC officers don the same police uniforms as regular officers, commit to a minimum of 16 hours every month, and their duties may include patrolling the streets or taking part in anti-drug operations. They are given an allowance of S$3.60 per hour.
DSP (V) Lau, 51, said he has “easily committed over 100 hours” performing operational and escort duties, such as during the Deepavali festivities last week, where he supported regular police officers in managing crowds. He oversees more than 100 VSC officers as a Deputy Head VSC officer at Central Police Division.
Senior Station Inspector (V) Seet, 46, said she was inspired by a local drama series 30 years ago to join the VSC. She devotes at least 30 hours every month as a finance officer at VSC Headquarters at Police Cantonment Complex, where she generates reports and helps officers with financial matters such as their incentive claims.
Over the years, they have seen fellow volunteers who signed up alongside them drop out. DSP (V) Lau said: “There are a lot of sacrifices, especially for SPF courses; we have to take leave to attend training courses (which takes place) during office hours.”
Currently a senior manager at Aviva, DSP (V) Lau added that it has helped that his boss is understanding and supportive of volunteerism.
SSI (V) Seet said she initially struggled with juggling her full-time job as a preschool teacher, taking care of the children, and her VSC duties. Thankfully, her children were “quite disciplined and very independent”. “When the both of us go out for duties, they stay at home,” she added.
DSP (V) Lau added: “As a volunteer, we are prepared to sacrifice. If we are not prepared, we will not last for 25 years.” The couple’s children are now 18 and 20 years old, and both picked NPCC as their co-curricular activity in secondary school. SSI (V) Seet said: “We are happy that we have inspired them since young, but we will leave it to them to decide (if they want to join the Police Force).”
