He extends national service in police to nab baddies
During his extended national service, he helps arrest drunk with broken bottle
He was on the tail end of his extended national service when he heard there was a fight in Arab Street.
As full-time national service inspector (NSI) Muhammad Azhar and his partner were patrolling the area that night in March, they went to investigate.
When he got there, he saw a man behaving suspiciously. He and his partner approached the man, who turned hostile when asked for his particulars.
"He started pushing me and my partner," said the 20-year-old.
"He taunted us, saying, 'What are you going to do? I can push you but you cannot push me.'
"We followed protocol and asked him to step back, but he refused to listen."
NSI Azhar and his partner then grabbed the man's arms and handcuffed him.
"We searched him and found a broken glass bottle hidden in his back pocket," he said.
"Thankfully, he didn't have the chance to take it out and use it."
The man, who was intoxicated, was arrested for possession of a dangerous weapon.
The incident was just one of many NSI Azhar had to handle after voluntarily extending his service with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for just over three months after his national service, which ended in December last year.
During his service, he also volunteered to do patrol in Little India following the riot in December 2013.
"I had an advantage in terms of the Tamil language, which really helped," he said.
"I mostly just did patrolling, looked around and explained to some people why there was an increased police presence in the area.
"Some even approached us and said sorry, that they won't let it (a riot) happen again."
NSI Azhar, who completed his stint in March this year, was able to balance and excel in both administrative and operational work.
He designed a system that efficiently collated manpower resources and allocated duties while in the force, and provided valuable insights and took up supervisory roles in projects.
Today, he will be presented with the SPF NSF of the Year award at the Annual Police Dinner.
WANTED EXPOSURE
Asked why he chose to extend his service with the SPF, NSI Azhar said that he wanted the exposure.
"There were opportunities to showcase myself, and I wanted to get more knowledge and experience," he said.
"It is a way to serve the nation more without having to sign on."
The Raffles Institution alumnus said that he enjoyed working with his colleagues in the SPF.
"I was given opportunities, and I suppose that's what makes or breaks the experience for an NSF," he said.
"When you are not seen as just a number, it is when you become willing to do more, to contribute and benefit others as well.
"I hope to see more encouraging officers in the SPF in the future."
Annual Police Dinner tonight
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) will also be holding the Annual Police Dinner tonight at the Istana.
During the dinner, four awards, namely the Best Land Division Award, Best National Service Operationally Ready Unit Award, NSman of the Year Award and SPF NSF of the Year Award will be presented.
The NSman of the Year Award, which will be given to five people, recognises NSmen for their contributions and achievements towards NS.
The SPF NSF of the Year Award, a new award, will be given to five NSFs in the SPF who have made outstanding contributions, including NSI Muhammad Azhar.
The winners will be receiving their trophies from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean at the dinner.
A new scheme, the Voluntary Extension of Service for Police National Service men (PNSmen) came into effect on Monday, after amendments were made to the Police Force Act.
The scheme allows officers to volunteer and receive the same recognition and benefits as current serving PNSmen after their reservist cycles end. They can volunteer until the age of 65.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now