Living in HTA

Community living is part and parcel of the Police Officers Basic Course (POBC). You will be learning, working and living with your fellow trainees as a team during your POBC.

Adjusting to community living

To help you adjust, there will be a comprehensive orientation programme during the first week of your POBC. Your Course Manager (CM) will be present to guide you along throughout the course.

You are strongly encouraged to interact with your fellow trainees to establish esprit de corps. This is important for your police training and future operational work. Your stay in the Home Team Academy (HTA) will also be more enjoyable.

Here are some tips in general:

• Show consideration for others, obey instructions and observe rules and regulations.
• Interact with your fellow recruits and get to know them well. People always work better in teams if they have already formed friendships.
• Sometimes professional help may be needed. The Singapore Police Force has channels for professional counselling, financial assistance and addressing personal grievances should you require them.

Many servicemen find that the friendships they make during National Service last for life because of the strong bonds formed through common experiences and daily interactions. So stay positive about this unique experience.

Personal health

Your health is of utmost importance. You will be given sufficient time to rest every day so that you are well prepared for the next day’s training. If you sustain any injuries during training or are feeling unwell, you should inform your instructor immediately and he or she will arrange to send you to the Medical Centre for treatment.

Personal hygiene and appearance

As you are living in the dormitories with other trainees, you will be required to observe good personal hygiene and a neat appearance. Some of the basic regimental requirements include:

• Keeping your hair short, well-groomed and neat
• Maintaining short and clean fingernails
• Shaving daily (no facial hair is allowed)
• Being dressed appropriately at all times in accordance with training or regimental rules

Meals

To ensure that you have a nutritious and well-balanced diet, the HTA plans all menus carefully. You will be provided with three meals and a supper a day. Vegetarian food can be provided on request. You are to declare any food allergy to your CM.

Dormitory cleanliness and maintenance

The cleanliness of your dormitory is the responsibility of all who live in it. Your dormitory must be kept clean and tidy. This practice of area cleaning is known as ‘fatigue’ and you will be expected to do the following:

• Sweep the floors
• Deposit rubbish in the bins
• Clean the walls, windows and furniture
• Keep your personal belongings neatly in the locker provided

Facilities

The HTA offers a wide range of recreational facilities for you to use during your free time, including:

• Football fields
• Basketball courts
• Squash courts
• Swimming pools
• Gym