Introduction

Good morning. I am honoured to join you at this year's Security Officers' Day Awards.

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.

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 the security service standards the industry aspires to.

The Quiet Heroes Among Us

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

One of the recipients of this year's Security Officer of the Year Award, Mr Abdullah Alumal Alimchandani from Certis Cisco Protection Services, is one such example. 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.

When he returned a lost wallet to a passenger service counter, the owner of the wallet took the time to write in to commend him. A small act to some, but it speaks volumes about how the public is positively impacted by the values Mr Abdullah embodies in the uniform.

Progressive Wages, Progressive Careers

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

This is what the Progressive Wage Model aims to provide. As our security officers grow in their skills and take on greater responsibilities, their wages will grow with them.

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%.

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.

These efforts are also part of a broader commitment to build a security sector that attracts and retains talent, and is recognised 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 security industry. More details will be subsequently announced.

Industry Transformation through Technology Adoption

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

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 duties like patrolling and incident response. The CCP supports officers in transitioning into new areas such as operating and monitoring autonomous security robots and conducting visual inspection using robot-mounted cameras. I am heartened that many officers have risen to the challenge.

One example is Security Officer Mr Cheng Kwok Sing from Metropolis Security Systems, 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.

Seeing the impact firsthand, Mr Cheng Kwok Sing was determined to bring his teammates along. He developed simple guides on operating the robots and 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 others along, is what drives our security industry towards smarter and more integrated operations in the years ahead.

Closing

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 appreciation to Security Association Singapore and our industry partners, whose commitment has made this progress possible.

To every security officer here today, your work matters. We will continue to work alongside our tripartite partners, such that this profession rewards your efforts, recognises your growth and prepares you for the future.