“A top crime buster”: Singapore’s first FBI-trained cop dies aged 90

In the early years of Singapore's self-government and independence, Phang Cheow Hock was a prominent feature in the Singapore Police Force (SPF) combating gang crime, kidnappings and murder cases.

In those days when Singapore was far from a safe country, where armed gangs, secret society members, gun fights, homicide and robberies were rife, Phang was committed to protecting the lives and properties of Singaporeans.

Officers responding to the MacDonald House bombing in 1965.

Source: Singapore Press Holdings (taken from Singapore Police Force's website)

In December 1959, the Penang-born schoolteacher-turned police officer, was commended for his “skilful interrogation and scientific investigation” in homicide cases. In fact, this was not the first time that Mr Phang was commended publicly in the press.

Six months earlier, Mr Phang was praised in the local press for “the destruction of an armed gang”, and his work, together with a fellow officer, “resulted in the recovery of firearms, ammunition and stolen property”.

His contributions was further recognised when, on 7 August 1965, The Straits Times reported that Phang, an acting superintendent then, “left for Washington for specialised training” at FBI for three months. He was the first police officer from Singapore to attend this course.

The Straits Times, 7 August 1965

His stint at the FBI came soon after he was awarded the "High Commendation Certificate" from the then-acting Commissioner of Police, A. T. Rajah, in May 1965.

In a post by Richard Goh on a Facebook group, Singapore Police Retirees, Goh recounted that after completing his course at the FBI, Phang attended a High Command Course at Scotland Yard. On his return, he became an OC to several police stations and the Director of the Police Academy, as well as the editor of the Police Journal.

In 1967, Phang “of the Special Investigation Section”, was again “highly commended” by the Commissioner of Police for “outstanding organising ability and skill in rounding up 59 kidnappers in connection with at least nine cases of kidnappings and two attempted kidnappings.

Phang was credited for outstanding detective ability, tenacity of purpose and skilful handling of a source leading to the recovery of two revolvers, five sten guns, two hand-grenades, ammunition and high explosives".

He was described by The Straits Times as “a top crime buster” in a March 1967 article.

On more than one occasion, his bravery and mettle saw him through many episodes of "grievous hurt".

One of DSP Phang’s major legacy was his commitment to the utilisation of academic and scientific discourses to the modernisation of SPF.

DSP Phang was a driving force and pioneer of the SPF, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for the safeguarding Singaporeans’ every day, especially so in a period of turbulence and violent insecurities in Singapore’s history.

After nearly twenty years of service, he retired from SPF at the end of 1973 (“Phang quits police force”, 18 November 1973, The Straits Times). He made a successful transition into the private sector where he stayed until 2019.

He was also an avid golfer.

DSP Phang passed away on January 12. He was 90. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His funeral and cremation took place earlier today, January 15.

Top image: Acting Superintendent Phang Cheow Hock (second from the left), National Archives Online