SINGAPORE: Changes to help police officers scale the ranks faster kick in from July. The revamp of Singapore Police Force (SPF) ranks was first announced by Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam in April.

The starting rank of corporal for non diploma or A-level holders, the rank of staff sergeant and senior station inspectors will be gone from Jul 1, but this will not affect officers' pay structure. Officers whose ranks are affected will also retain their ranks until they are promoted.

"The rank structure was reviewed to ensure that it remains relevant to meet future operations and workforce needs. The revised rank structure better reflects the jobs our officers perform and provides a clearer command and control structure," said SPF.

All graduates will also start off as Inspectors. Currently, those with honours get a higher rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police.

(Infographic: Singapore Police Force)

"The move towards the single scheme, with reduced rank entry points, signals SPF’s commitment to look beyond an officer’s academic qualifications, and provide fair advancement opportunities for all officers based on demonstrated performance and potential," the police force said.

Under the revised rank structure, the police will provide more learning and development opportunities for all police officers as well. Officers can take up to 10 weeks of professional development leave to pursue programmes, courses or attachments in related industry, community or voluntary organisations. They will also be able to claim up to S$700 a year for another personal learning-related expenses, such as courses leading to formal qualifications, seminars or conferences, and subscriptions to magazines or journals.

Police added that three "expert career tracks" in investigations, intelligence and special operations will be introduced as well.

"These specialist officers play a critical role in anchoring expertise knowledge in these 3 key domains. These specialist officers can advance from a Senior Specialist to a Principal Specialist and then to an Expert," SPF said.

The police hope to send a message to officers that they are taken care of, so that they can focus on taking care of Singapore.