Speech by MOS Dinesh Vasu Dash at The Security Officers' Day Awards 2026

Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower, Temasek Polytechnic

Mr Melvin Yong, Member of Parliament for Radin Mas;

Mr Kelvin Goh, President of Security Association Singapore;

Mr Aw Tuan Kee, Deputy Principal of Temasek Polytechnic;

Mr Faizal Zainal, Head of Temasek Polytechnic, Security Industry Institute;

Mr Ardi Amir, President of Union of Security Employees;

Distinguished guests and our security officers,

Good morning. I am honoured to join you at this year's Security Officers' Day Awards. This is a very special event for me because I come from a security family. My father had been a police officer for over 30 years, and in my last job before I joined the Ministry of Health, I was in charge of camp security – all the security troopers in the SAF, all the camps in SAF were under my charge, together with the military police command. I can therefore fully empathise with the difficulties of the role that all of you perform, how complex it is, the characters that you meet, and the situations that you sometimes have to face. I had to go through this, albeit at a slightly different level, although I would always be on the ground to encourage the team at the guardrooms and various points of security.

2 Every year, this ceremony reminds us that behind the safety and security that we enjoy as a society, there are people who have dedicated themselves to this purpose. Today, we honour some of the best among them.

3 I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all of this year's award recipients. You have shown what it truly means to serve with excellence, setting high security standards in the process, or adding to how significant the industry has grown over the years.

The Quiet Heroes Among Us

4 Our security officers are, in many ways, the quiet heroes of Singapore. They respond when something goes wrong, stay calm when situations escalate, and they help to maintain order so that we can go about our lives without worry.

5 One of the recipients of this year’s Security Officer of the Year Award Mr Abdullah Alumal Alimchandani from Certis Cisco Protection Services. I would  like to highlight some of the work that this wonderful gentleman has done. As part of LTA’s Ops Stallion team, Mr Abdullah was deployed at MRT stations to maintain public security. Mr Abdullah’s vigilance has led him to detect numerous items, from controlled substances to a prohibited weapon at Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station. His efforts earned him a formal commendation from LTA.

6 When he returned a lost wallet to a passenger some time ago, the passenger took the effort to write a report and commend him. A small act to some, but it speaks volumes about how the public is positively impacted by the values, character and the discipline of Mr Abdullah which he embodies as he puts on his uniform every day.

Progressive Wages, Progressive Careers

7 Our security officers bring their best to this profession every single day, and we must ensure that the structures are in place to support and reward their commitment.

8 This is one of the main reasons why the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) has been implemented and exactly what the PWM aims to achieve. As our security officers grow in their skills and take on greater responsibilities, their wages will grow in tandem.

9 Through collective efforts, the Security Tripartite Cluster (STC) has set out a schedule of sustained wage increases up till 31 Dec 2028. From 2025 to 2028, entry-level security officers will see their wages increase cumulatively by up to 23%.

10 The PWM also provides clear opportunities for upskilling and for career progression linked to skills and responsibilities. As we review the wage schedule for 2029 and beyond, we want to ensure that every officer who invests in upgrading themselves has a clear and tangible reward to work towards.

11 These efforts are also part of a broader commitment to build a security sector that attracts and retains talent, and is recognised, most importantly, as a respected profession. In line with this, we recently announced that there will be an increase in baseline annual leave entitlements for outsourced workers, including security officers, as they frequently have their leave entitlements reset to 7 days due to contracting arrangements. This will better recognise workers’ length of service, improve retention, and support service continuity within the sector. 

Industry Transformation through Technology Adoption

12 The Industry Transformation efforts have been ongoing to build a sector that is smarter and better equipped to meet the demands of the future.

13 Alongside this, our security officers must be equipped with new skills and technology that can make their work safer and more productive. With the support of Career Conversion Programmes (CCP), many security officers have been reskilled to take on new job roles that go beyond traditional roles like patrolling and incident management. The CCP supports officers in transitioning into new areas such as operating and monitoring autonomous security robots and conducting visual inspections through robot-mounted cameras. I am heartened that many officers have risen to the challenge.

14 One example is none other than Security Officer Mr Cheng Kwok Sing from Metropolis Security Systems, also a recipient of this year’s Job Redesign Award. He transformed his team’s operations by mastering the use of security robots and the Integrated Security Management System, resulting in lower response times, more accurate incident logs, and fewer operational delays.

15 Seeing the impact firsthand, Mr Cheng was determined to bring his teammates along with him. He developed simple guides on operating the robots and the new systems, with larger fonts tailored for senior officers. He also coached his peers so the whole team could work smarter and safer together. That spirit of shared progress, of not just embracing change but bringing everyone together with him, is what drives our security industry towards smarter and more integrated operations in the years ahead.

Closing

16 Mr Abdullah's dedication to serving with excellence, Mr Cheng’s pioneering spirit, and the achievements of the many award recipients we honour today, showcase the best of a profession that is evolving with purpose and growing with pride. I want to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Security Association Singapore and our industry partners, whose commitment has made this progress possible.

17 To every security officer here today, your work matters. We will continue to work alongside you, together with our tripartite partners, such that this profession continues to remain fulfilling, rewarding, recognises your growth and prepares you for the future. Thank you very much, and congratulations once again.