High-stakes moments, unpredictable challenges, and critical decisions — this is the world SUPT Ong Ruo Cheng navigates daily at the PCG. As Head Operations and Security, she plays a crucial role in overseeing key aspects of Singapore’s maritime safety and security, often making fast, measured decisions that carry significant weight. The focus, calm and commitment she brings to these responsibilities, however, were shaped long before she joined the Force.

Her path into policing began years earlier, during her university days, when she volunteered at her Group Representation Constituency’s (GRC’s) Meet-the-People sessions. Witnessing how safety and security impacted people from all walks of life inspired her to pursue a career that could make a tangible difference. She applied for the Local Merit Scholarship, setting her on the path to public service.

The scholarship supported her studies in political science, giving her a broader lens on policy, societal and state affairs. It also opened doors to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), with attachments to various units during her vacations. These experiences gave her insight into operational challenges and processes, providing a head start as she began her career.

Since then, SUPT Ong has served in frontline policing, investigations, operations planning for national events, and now maritime security. Her experience coordinating large-scale events such as the Trump-Kim Summit and National Day Parade, as well as serving as Aide-de-Camp to former President Halimah Yacob, exposed her to national-level leadership and diplomacy. These experiences now inform her work at the PCG, where she combines strategy, leadership and technology to keep Singapore’s waters safe.

Navigating the Waters of Duty

A typical day at the PCG involves reviewing strategies and policies, preparing for major deployments, and coordinating with other maritime agencies to ensure readiness for national emergencies or incidents with diplomatic considerations. SUPT Ong also manages maritime security operations to safeguard the safety and security of Singapore’s territorial waters and oversees capability-building projects, ensuring new technologies align with operational needs and enhance the PCG’s effectiveness.

Working at sea presents unique challenges: weather, tides, traffic and cross-border threats affect how incidents are managed. SUPT Ong embraces these complexities with focus and resilience.

“The maritime environment forces you to think ahead, stay adaptable, and make decisions with imperfect information. You also have to balance operational risks with diplomatic considerations,” she explained. “Leading in such situations means being clear, calm and deliberate, even when things shift unexpectedly.”

Lessons From Every Angle

SUPT Ong’s work isn’t just about high-stakes operations at sea. Behind the frontlines, she also engages the public and raises awareness about crime and safety — notably through hosting ‘Crimewatch’, a long-running Singapore TV series produced by Mediacorp in collaboration with the SPF and the National Crime Prevention Council.

“Hosting for Crimewatch is definitely a different experience from my usual operational work, and I enjoy it because it lets me share real policing stories with the public in an engaging way,” SUPT Ong shared. “It’s interesting to step in front of the camera and think about how to deliver safety messages clearly and effectively.”

During filming, she observed the crew — from the audio and lighting teams to the director — demonstrating immense hard work and professionalism, especially during outdoor shoots when the weather can be unforgiving. “Watching them coordinate seamlessly to create a polished final product reminds me how much can be achieved when everyone gives their best and works together,” she enthused. This reinforced a lesson that continues to guide her in policing: teamwork multiplies impact, and the result is always greater than the sum of the parts.

This philosophy guides her in the PCG, where operations rely on officers at sea, Command Centre teams, and planning officers on shore. “Trust and communication are essential because conditions can change within minutes,” SUPT Ong explained. “Working in the PCG has taught me that effective teamwork is not just about coordination; it’s about mutual accountability, professional respect, and the willingness to step up for one another when the situation demands it.”

These lessons in teamwork and responsibility are at the heart of how officers grow and thrive in the SPF.

Policing: Paths to Possibilities

The SPF offers diverse roles across investigations, cybercrime, operations planning, community policing, and specialist units like the PCG. Officers also collaborate with other ministries and agencies, gaining exposure beyond day-to-day policing.

“You are never on this journey alone,” SUPT Ong emphasised. “The public service invests in developing officers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need through training, mentorship and attachments to different units.” Growth opportunities also include leadership courses, professional development programmes, conferences, and secondments, and mobility is encouraged to gain diverse experience and prepare for broader responsibilities.

She believes the most meaningful growth comes with a sense of purpose. “Public service and law enforcement can be demanding, with difficult moments and personal sacrifices, but if you feel a calling to contribute to something larger than yourself, the work becomes deeply meaningful,” she said. “That sense of purpose carries you through the more challenging days and keeps you grounded in why the work matters.”