Setting his sights high

A childhood fascination with the police uniform played a key role in  his decision to join the Singapore Police Force.
By Jason Lee
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For someone who has always been attracted to the police uniform, a career with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) would seem like a dream come true.
That’s indeed the case for Mr Syed Ibrahim Shah Bin Jajahan who,  despite having just commenced the six-month Police Officer Basic Course, is already setting his goal far ahead: He hopes to become a senior officer one day.

“Since young, I have been fascinated with the police uniform. Today,  I still feel the uniform is cool and prestigious,” the 22-year-old cadet said.

“At the same time, I am also looking forward to playing my part for the society and safeguard this nation,” said Mr Ibrahim who hopes to conduct forensic examinations one day.

That Mr Ibrahim is able to embark on his dream career can be attributed in large part to the Home Team Merit Award (Polytechnic), or HOME Award (Polytechnic).

The programme sponsors successful applicants for a three-year full-time local diploma course and includes the payment of tuition fees and monthly allowance.

While the award will help Mr Ibrahim follow his dream career, the monetary aspects of the award certainly helped mitigate the hardships faced by his family whose monthly household income was no more than a meagre amount of $1,300. 

Mr Syed Ibrahim Shah Bin Jajahan keeps his goal in sight
Photo by Tan Yi Wen

At the same time, his father had been on medication since he underwent a bypass operation some years ago.

Under such circumstances, many teenagers would easily have been demoralised – but not Mr Ibrahim, who was determined to fight the odds and shape his own destiny.

After all, his parents had worked hard to raise his younger sister and him. Mr Ibrahim was determined to repay them and fulfilling his educational ambitions is one way to do so, he reckoned.

Staying focused on his goal despite the family’s financial problems has</br> helped the young man navigate through the educational journey with  much success over the past few years. Today, he holds a
National ITE Certificate (Nitec) in Mechatronics as well as a diploma in Micro and Nanotechnology.

Mr Ibrahim’s pursuit of knowledge however does not stop there.

He hopes to obtain a bachelor’s degree at either the Nanyang Technological University or the National University of Singapore and make his parents proud. At the same time, he hopes to climb up the ranks in the police force.

Mr Syed Ibrahim Shah Bin Jajahan, recipient of HOME Award in 2009, aims to stay focused
Photo by Tan Yi Wen

“After two to three years, I would like to apply for the Home Affairs Learning & Growth Programme (HALO Programme) and return to the Ministry as a senior officer,” he said. 

Under the HALO Programme, outstanding officers who join the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) after obtaining their diploma at the local polytechnics may apply for the full sponsorship of their degree studies at one of the three local universities.
=====================================================================

“It is the availability of programmes such as HOME Award (Polytechnic) and Home Affairs Learning & Growth Programme which convinced me that my chances of climbing the career ladder are higher at this Ministry as compared to other organisations."
- Mr Syed Ibrahim Shah Bin Jajahan

=====================================================================

This is provided they have served a minimum of two years in their Home Team Department.

Such awards, Mr Ibrahim said, allow him to plan and map out his career path clearly and is one of the key reasons he opted to embark on a career with the SPF.

“It is the availability of programmes such as HOME Award (Polytechnic) and Home Affairs Learning & Growth Programme which convinced me that my chances of climbing the career ladder are higher at this Ministry as compared to other organisations,” he added