Photo: Singapore Police Force
First Asian Police Commissioner
– John Le Cain
– John Le Cain
“A most important requirement is that you should win the confidence
and respect of the people. This is highly essential because no
Police Force, however efficient it may be, can be fully effective
without public co-operation.”
Mr John Le Cain, an Eurasian, became Singapore’s first Asian Police
Commissioner in 1963, a post that was previously only held by British
officers. He led the police force during the turbulent 1960s, taking
on the security challenges of Konfrontasi, separation from Malaysia
and the forging of an independent nation.
Educated in St Andrew’s School and Raffles Institution, Mr Le Cain was a prefect and all-round sportsman. He joined the Straits Settlements Police Force in 1939 after a stint as a law clerk and worked in various departments. He had also headed the Police Training School, Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau (CPIB) and the Marine Police. After retiring in 1967 from the Police Force, Mr Le Cain was appointed Chairman of Singapore Pools. He was also later appointed Counsellor at the Singapore High Commission in the UK.
Educated in St Andrew’s School and Raffles Institution, Mr Le Cain was a prefect and all-round sportsman. He joined the Straits Settlements Police Force in 1939 after a stint as a law clerk and worked in various departments. He had also headed the Police Training School, Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau (CPIB) and the Marine Police. After retiring in 1967 from the Police Force, Mr Le Cain was appointed Chairman of Singapore Pools. He was also later appointed Counsellor at the Singapore High Commission in the UK.