Our officers don’t just work hard – they play hard too. A team of Auxiliary Police Officers from Mobile Division came in second place in the Country Qualifiers for the PUBG Mobile PVP Corporate Championship. Hosted by local organisation PVP Esports and sponsored by Singtel, the event was part of a multi-title tournament in Asia-Pacific aimed at levelling up gaming communities across the region. The team will be going on to represent Singapore in the regional finals.

We interviewed some of the team members to find out more.

Congratulations on your win! What inspired you to take part in the tournament?

Rio: Most of us got into PUBG back when it launched in 2018. As we really enjoyed it, we recommended and shared the game among our colleagues, and eventually began playing together while off-duty. Most of us are casual gamers, so when I found about this tournament, it seemed like an opportunity to try something we’d never done before. Since all of us are from Mobile Division, it seemed fitting that we use that as our team name.

What are your roles in the team?

Audi: Mazree was initially supposed to play on the team, but during registration we found out he wasn’t eligible to join as he is already registered with a professional SEA team (Resurgence), so we nominated him as our manager. He coaches and advises us, and his experience really helped find us ways to improve.

Although our team members are quite well-rounded, they all have their own areas of expertise. Rio makes a great scout, while Salleh is good at rushing for our objectives, and Firdaus specializes in certain maps.

I became team leader because apparently I make better mapping predictions (laughs). While I direct the team and make decisions during each match, their input based on their specialties often helps me to see the bigger picture.

It must have been quite challenging to prepare for the tournament. How did you pull it off?

Mazree: It was definitely challenging because we have different deployments and shifts. Audi, Firdaus and myself are in the pursuit team at Woodlands Checkpoint. Salleh is a LTA Traffic Marshall, Firman is a maintenance officer, and Rio does adhoc deployments.

As this is our first tournament together, and we only had a month to practice, we had to make time wherever possible – during break times, after work, and on our off days. We rarely get the full team online at the same time, so it’s really based on whoever is free at the moment.

Salleh: We identified our own strengths and weaknesses and worked to improve where possible. We also came up with strategies for different situations and maps. While we usually have a plan for each match, most of the time we end up improvising and reacting based on the situation we find ourselves in.

Of course, we also have fun while doing it. Juggling work and family commitments can be tough sometimes, and PUBG has been a great way to release stress – we can scold each other in-game too (laughs).

Did your role as Auxiliary Police Officers come in useful at any point?

Rio: Actually, yes. We’re already used to working together as part of a team, while focusing on our individual duties. We have to be able to communicate effectively, and know how to lead by delegating tasks and making decisions. We also develop good reflexes and a strong sense of awareness – for example, our traffic marshals need to constantly be aware of their surroundings, and find good positions to stand so that they have the best possible field of view. These skills are brought into the game as well.

What’s next for the team?

Salleh: We’ll definitely be busy preparing for the regional finals. Playing against teams from other countries will be a good learning experience for us as they often have very different strategies and perspectives. Some of us stream occasionally too. Check out Dondale Gaming on Facebook!

Mazree: It can be tough competing against full-time gamers – if you think you’re good, there are always people way better than you. As a team though, we’re going to persevere and see where this takes us.

As part of Singapore’s ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, AETOS is doing our part to provide security services for foreign worker dormitories and alternative accommodation facilities. A few hundred AETOS Auxiliary Police Officers (APOs) and Security Officers have been deployed at 53 different locations across the island, including Government Quarantine Facilities (GQF), floating hotels under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and military camps. As part of our integrated services, AETOS is also supplying technology solutions such as CCTV systems to some of the deployment sites.

In addition to the regular duties such as security patrols and access control, the officers also perform temperature checks, ensure that social distancing measures are adhered to, and escort workers who have tested positive for COVID-19. This is no easy feat as the officers are required to don full personal protective equipment (PPE) - including medical gowns and gloves at some of these deployments - for their entire 12-hour shifts.

Said Sergeant (APF) Syarifuddin, an APO currently deployed at an isolation facility, “Once I put on the attire, I better understood the hardships that healthcare workers face on a daily basis. While it is not easy to wear full PPE under the hot sun, I hope to make a positive impact alongside my fellow AETOS frontliners”.

Mr. Lim Kok Hwa, Vice President of Operations said, “In times of adversity, our actions define who we are and what we are capable of. We are proud that our officers stepped up to the challenge and joined in the national effort to battle this pandemic on the frontlines. To support them, our main priority lies in ensuring our officers’ well-being. With constant supervisory visits and increased measures targeted at maximising their welfare, our officers are able to discharge their duties with confidence and positivity.”

Operations Manager Zaffar Ali Khan recently received the Model Worker award from the Union of Security Employees (USE). The award is conferred on outstanding workers who exemplify Worker 4.0, displaying the traits of being Resilient, Relevant and Ready for the changes brought about by digitalization and disruptive technologies. Crucially, they improve both their jobs and their own employability while contributing to their company and their industry as a whole.

We interviewed him to find out more.

Congratulations on the award! How do you feel?

Honestly, I was very surprised because I was totally unaware that my fellow union officials had nominated me for the award. I am definitely very happy – it’s always nice to receive recognition for your contributions and hard work.

Tell us more about your job scope. What do you do in a typical week in AETOS?

My fellow Operations Managers and I carry out a wide range of duties. We manage manpower deployment, supervise the Security Officers on the ground and fulfill various administrative roles, all while ensuring that the needs and expectations of our clients are being met. That’s really just the tip of the iceberg. Currently, I supervise ten deployment sites, such as Singapore Cruise Centre and Changi Ferry Terminal.

How about your role in USE?

At the AETOS level, our union members handle matters such as welfare and discipline. We often act as counsellors and advisers for our officers, lending them a listening ear or helping to settle grievances. At the union level, we discuss issues that affect the wider security industry, such as regulations and manpower trends, as well as how to improve it. For example, I was involved in the brainstorming and development of the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for the industry. We also attend courses such as leadership and personal development, which are funded by the union.

What does it take to be a ‘Model Worker’? Any tips to share?

When it comes to work, I think that attitude is the game-changer. We should lead by example – especially as we are not just representing ourselves, but the company as well. By building rapport with clients and stakeholders, and being tactful and patient when dealing with issues, we come off as professional and committed to our work. Additionally, a spirit of continuous learning helps a lot. I made it a point to constantly take new courses to upgrade myself, and then pass this knowledge on to new generations of security professionals.

How are you facing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 situation?

As a leader, the wellbeing of my officers is my top priority, and this extends to ensuring their morale remains high during this difficult period. Their twelve-hour shift work is not easy even during normal times, so we need to consider their welfare and how best to support them.

I came from the rank and file, having joined CIAS as a Security Officer almost seventeen years ago, so I can empathize and understand how the men and women on the ground think and feel. One of the most important things is to ensure that my officers know they have the support of their leaders and the management. I make it a point to communicate with them regularly, and go down to the ground to listen to their concerns and feedback in person. Ensuring that their voices are heard

Above all, treat your officers as if they were your family. Whether times are good or bad, a family will get through them together.