The Singapore Police Force is one of the most recognisable uniformed organisations in Singapore and one of the 7 departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Aspiring police officers can join the Force as Direct-Entry Sergeants or Inspectors. Here’s how much in salary, sign-on bonuses, and other monetary incentives you can earn if you choose to join the Singapore Police Force as a Sergeant or an Inspector.
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How Much Does A Singapore Police Officer Earn?
Entry Requirements
While the physical requirements for Sergeants and Inspectors are the same, the difference is in the entry educational qualifications. Sergeants enter with a minimum of 5 GCE ‘O’ Level Credits and Inspectors enter with a minimum of Degree pass in any discipline.
Source: SPF
Starting Salaries
If you join the Singapore Police Force as a Direct-Entry Sergeant, you can expect to earn between $2,100 to $3,097 depending on your educational qualifications, relevant work experience and completion of full-time National Service. In comparison, the median graduate starting salary for diploma holders and NITEC (without NS) is $2,550 and $2,000 respectively in 2022.
If you join the Singapore Police Force as a Direct-Entry Inspector, you can expect to earn between $4,996 to $5,904 depending on your educational qualifications, relevant work experience and completion of full-time National Service. In comparison, the median graduate starting salary for degree holders is $4,313 in 2023.
Educational Qualifications
Starting Salary
GCE ‘O’ Levels
$2,100 to $3,097
NITEC
Higher NITEC
GCE ‘A’ Levels
Diploma
Degree or higher
$4,996 to $5,904
Sign-On Bonus
Direct-Entry Sergeants will receive a Sign-On Bonus of $35,000. Direct-Entry Inspectors will receive a Sign-on Bonus of $20,000.
NS Fulfilment
Additionally, Direct-Entry Sergeants can serve out their NS liability by serving 5 years as a regular police officer while still receiving their full salary and benefits. To do so, pre-enlistees will need to apply 3 months before their enlistment date.
Direct-Entry Inspectors are not eligible for this bonus.
Training and Posting
Direct-Entry Sergeants go through a 6-month residential training programme while Direct-Entry Inspectors go through a 9-month residential training programme.
Direct-Entry Sergeants are trained to be Ground Response Force officers and may be posted to other departments and units, which includes frontline duties, staff work, investigation or intelligence. Depending on suitability and available vacancies, they may also be posted to specialist units such as the Police Coast Guard, Security Command and the Traffic Police.
Direct-Entry Inspectors are trained in the same curriculum with the addition of criminal investigation lessons and leadership development. They are also rotated through foundational postings in Frontline Policing as a Ground Response Force Officer, Investigation as an Investigation Officer, Command as a Team Leader and Staff as a Staff Officer.
Good-performing Direct-Entry Sergeants can be directly promoted to the rank of Inspector within the first few years in the Force, even without a degree. Additionally, the SPF also offers many scholarships and sponsorships for eligible candidates to either join the Force or to improve themselves while in the Force:
Source: SPF
Retirement Schemes
Both Direct-Entry Sergeants and Inspectors are eligible for the INVEST Scheme, as well as Strategic Payment Scheme and Police (Invest) payment.
Read Also: Salary Guide: How Much Can You Earn If You Join The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
Police Officers Are Eligible For Retirement Benefits Under The INVEST Scheme
The INVEST Scheme is a scheme for uniformed officers under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was established to help officers transit into their second career as they have an earlier retirement age of 55 as compared to the rest of the Civil Service at 63, and also compared to the Civil Service’s re-employment age of 68.
Under the INVEST Scheme, Direct-Entry Sergeants and Inspectors will have a contribution equivalent to 7.75% and 13.25% of their gross salary credited monthly into the respective officer’s retirement account starting from the first year in service and ending when the officer reaches 55 years old. The monies are invested to earn investment returns. Upon retirement, the officer can withdraw the full sum in the retirement account.
Read Also: Salary Guide: How Much Can You Earn If You Join The Singapore Prison Service (SPS)
Police Officers Also Receive Retention Reward For Staying In The Force
According to the Home Affairs Uniformed Services (INVEST Plan) Regulations, 0.5 – 1.5 months’ gross salary is contributed to the officer’s retention account on the completion of 1 year of service up to the 6th year of service, then 1.5 month of gross salary is contributed for the 7th to 10th year of service. This will be paid out /vested in the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th year of service.
According to SPF, new officers can look forward to cash payouts of 3 months (Assistant Superintendent of Police and below) quantum upon reaching their 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 20th, and 25th year in service under the Strategic Payment Scheme.
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Joining The Police Force Is More Than The Salary
The safety of Singapore is something that most of us take for granted in this country. We can sleep easily at night without fear of being burgled, robbed or mugged. All this is thanks to the ceaseless efforts of the Singapore Police Force (and the rest of the Home Team).
As seen from the above, our Police Force is fairly compensated. In fact, the starting salaries are higher than the median graduate starting salaries. Thus, joining the Force should be more than the salary but about how much you uphold the values of the Force: Courage, Loyalty, Integrity and Fairness.
Cover image credit: Raymond Quek
This article was first published on 23 March 2021 and updated with new information
The post Salary Guide To How Much Can You Earn If You Join The Singapore Police Force (SPF) appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
