SINGAPORE – Behind the star-studded performances at last year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix concerts in Singapore was a team of police officers who ensured the singers and their crew remained safe.

Inspector (National Service) Billy Lian, 22, was one of them.

An Event Security Officer with the Central Police Division, his team spent six months working with stakeholders for the F1 event to ensure the performers’ safety and kept track of the artists’ movements – which could be spontaneous – to provide round-the-clock security.

“It made me improve in my communication skills. When we try to speak to all these stakeholders, of course we can’t always have it our way. So we have to learn how to compromise and make sure that both parties have a win-win situation,” he said.

While the position came with added pressure, the police national serviceman, who reached his Operationally Ready Date in June, felt very fortunate to be given the opportunity. “Most of my friends, (or those) serving National Service, I believe most of them do not even get this opportunity of getting behind the scenes and planning all these (key) events,” he added.

Other events he participated in include Operation White Star (the passing of former President S R Nathan) last year, and Thaipusam and Chingay this year.

Insp (NS) Lian was one of 10 recipients of the Full-Time National Servicemen (NSF) of the Year award presented by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (Nov 03). The awardees came from the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force and were chosen for their outstanding commitment and significant contributions to National Service, said the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Over 900 Home Team NS men, NS pioneers and their families attended a dinner reception at the Istana Lawn, which capped the year-long Home Team NS50 celebrations.

Prime Minister Lee also launched a commemorative book titled Everyday Guardians: 50 Years of National Service In Singapore’s Home Team. The 147-page book delves into the history and evolution of National Service in the Home Team and about 15,000 copies will be distributed at the reception, to serving Home Team full-time NS men, schools and public libraries.

Among those featured in the book was Special Constable Corporal Nabel Al Masri, 23, whose fluency in Bengali enabled him reach out to Bangladeshi foreign workers living near the Woodlands East Neighbourhood Police Centre.

As the Community Engagement Officer, he would conduct crime prevention talks at dormitories in the Bengali language for between 500 and 3,000 workers each time. His talks covered the prevention of offences such as outrage of modesty, drinking, shop, bicycle and dormitory theft.

Often, the workers would crowd around him after a talk to share their problems, including how they fell victim to scams, for instance. They felt more comfortable than speaking in English, he said.

Ironically, SC/CPL Nabel did not tell his peers he could speak Bengali when he was younger because it was always negatively associated with foreign workers. “I was pretty discreet about it until I went (to the polytechnic) where everyone was (more) open-minded. That’s when I slowly started to tell people,” he said.

The Home Team NS50 celebrations were guided by a steering committee formed in August last year that included NS men, who gave feedback on making commemoration efforts more meaningful to the community.

One of its members was Deputy Superintendent of Police (NS) Terence Choo, 38.

The founder of customer retention consultancy Business Impact Global noticed an existing mobile app for the Home Team NS was not actively used and offered to create one that could keep all NSmen, NSF and Home Team NS members informed of events and latest promotions from merchants.

The app has been downloaded nearly 3,000 times on the iOS and Android app stores.

The commanding officer of the division special task force at Foxtrot Police Division also launched the website IPPT Ready (https://ipptready.wordpress.com) in May to share tips on improving NSmen’s fitness training and prepare them for the IPPT.

He became more health-conscious after a family member’s illness and made the switch to a plant-based diet in the past year. He even completed a 100km ultramarathon last month.

Another member of the committee was Warrant Officer (National Service) Oo Jun Hao, 32, who provided feedback on how a mini-series could be improved, as well as events that NS members would like.

As a company sergeant major, he manages the well-being of his men and levels of regimentation for his unit, whose role involves being ready to convert an MRT station into a bomb shelter during war time.

“Our job is to ensure that all the men who are fighting on the frontline, they know that at least their family members are safe… We give the assurance that once they come into the bomb shelter, they are safe,” he said.