Narcotics Officer
As a Narcotics Officer, you will have opportunities for regular rotation to take up different vocations in the Bureau.
Last updated 21 November 2025
Overview
We are looking for individuals who are passionate about the drug-free cause. When you join us as a Narcotics Officer, you will be embarking on an exciting and rewarding career with the Home Team to contribute towards making Singapore a safe and secure home.
CNB offers our officers a wide range of career paths and advancement opportunities. As a Narcotics Officer, you will have opportunities for regular rotation to take up different vocations in the Bureau. During your career, you will be posted to various divisions and exposed to new work functions and responsibilities. Find out more about the Career Roadmap.
Entry requirements
Singapore Citizen
Normal colour vision
Good physical and mental fitness. As part of the shortlisting process for this role, you would be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.
Male applicants must have completed National Service with a medical fitness of PES status ‘A’ or ‘B1 L1’
Welfare and benefits
Professional learning and development opportunities
Sign-on bonus of $15,000 for eligible Direct-Entry Inspectors and $30,000 for eligible Direct-Entry Sergeants
Performance, mid-year and end-year bonuses (subject to work performance)
Retention and retirement benefits
Annual vacation leave of 14 to 18 days
Annual medical leave of 14 days or 60 days with hospitalisation
Annual study leave of 12 days (subject to approval)
Subsidised medical and dental fees
Comprehensive group insurance scheme
Class 3 driving licence
Investment retirement benefits
As a uniformed officer, you will be eligible for retirement benefits under the INVEST Scheme. A monthly contribution of your gross salary will be credited into your Retirement Account starting from your 5th year of service. These contributions are expected to grow with interest. Upon retirement, you can withdraw the full sum from your account.
NS duty (for males):
Upon joining CNB, you will be exempted from all NS (reservist) activities. The exemption will be withdrawn should you leave the Bureau subsequently.
Direct‑Entry Inspector
You will lead a team of officers to keep Singapore drug-free. From gathering intelligence, planning and carrying out operations, to conducting investigations and engaging and educating the public on the fight against drugs, you need to possess strong leadership and command abilities, perseverance, as well as mental and emotional resilience to perform your responsibilities and tasks efficiently in dynamic situations.
Job scope
As a Direct-Entry Inspector, you can look forward to:
Leading a team of officers in a range of assignments, from conducting arrests, raids and house checks to gathering intelligence on drug syndicates and carrying out field operations against drug offenders
Conducting investigations and surveillance operations to neutralise drug trafficking groups
Overseeing the supervision regime for drug offenders
Formulating, implementing and reviewing drug enforcement policies and strategies
Planning and coordinating info-tech projects to keep Singapore drug-free
Conducting talks on preventive drug education and CNB's drug enforcement strategies to youths and organisations
Starting salary
$5,070 - $5,668
* Starting salary will vary according to assessment during interviews, relevant work experience and completion of full-time National Service (for male applicants).
Training
Your career will begin with a 9-month residential training programme at the Home Team Academy to prepare you for your role at the Bureau. You will undergo a well-structured curriculum to learn the criminal penal code, criminal and drug laws, investigation techniques, self-defence tactics and weapons handling. The training also includes an overseas leadership training programme.
You are required to serve a 2-year training bond which will commence after the 9-month training programme.
Foundation postings
Upon completion of the training programme, you will embark on foundation postings with the Enforcement and Investigation Divisions to gain valuable operational experience as a Narcotics Officer. You will also attend courses and training designed to further equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out your duties effectively.
Join us at CNB
Narcotics Officer (Direct-Entry Inspector)
Direct-Entry Sergeant
You will be part of the strong core of officers at CNB who protects Singapore against the harms of drugs. Armed with the ability to work effectively in teams, quick thinking, resourcefulness and the necessary skills and knowledge to aid you in challenging situations, you will carry out field operations, supervise drug offenders, conduct anti-drug operations and preventive drug education to keep Singapore drug-free.
Job scope
As a Direct-Entry Sergeant, you can look forward to:
Carrying out field operations to arrest drug offenders
Monitoring and gathering intelligence and evidence against drug offenders
Conducting investigations to prosecute drug offenders in Court
Administering the supervision regime for drug offenders and engaging members of the public, including the families of suspected drug offenders, to explain CNB’s policies and processes
Conducting talks on preventive drug education and CNB's drug enforcement strategies to youths and organisations
Starting salary
$2,250 - $3,059
* Starting salary will vary according to assessment during interviews, relevant work experience and completion of full-time National Service (for male applicants).
Training
Your career will begin with a 6-month residential training programme at the Home Team Academy to prepare you for your role at the Bureau. You will undergo a well-structured curriculum to learn criminal and drug laws, self-defence tactics, weapons handling, and leadership development.
You are required to serve a 2-year training bond which will commence after the 6-month training programme.
Foundation posting
Upon completion of the training programme, you will embark on your foundation posting to gain valuable operational experience as a Narcotics Officer. You will also attend courses and training designed to further equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out your duties effectively.
Join us at CNB
Narcotics Officer (Direct-Entry Sergeant)
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the job application process for the Narcotics Officer position? When should I apply?
Applicants shall apply for the Narcotics Officer position (Direct-Entry Inspector or Direct-Entry Sergeant) via Careers@Gov. Shortlisted applicants would be notified within 8 weeks from the date of application. After which, shortlisted applicants would undergo the following selection process:
Selection process details for Direct-Entry Inspector and Direct-Entry Sergeant, including psychometric test, interviews, and medical examination.
Selection Process | Direct-Entry Inspector | Direct-Entry Sergeant |
|---|---|---|
Psychometric Test | Yes | Yes |
Clinical Interview | Yes | No |
Panel Interview | Yes | Yes |
Medical Examination | Yes | Yes |
We recommend that you apply 3 to 6 months before your graduation date/ NS Operationally Ready Date (for male Direct-Entry Sergeant applicants).
2. What are the working hours for Narcotics Officers? Is there shift work?
Working hours vary depending on the division that you are posted to. Narcotics Officers who are deployed at the frontline may be required to work longer/ more irregular hours. Only some of our Narcotics Officers who are deployed at the Checkpoints work on shifts.
3. For Narcotics Officers, what would the training at the Home Team Academy (HTA) be like?
For Direct-Entry Inspectors and Sergeants, there will be a 9-month and 6-month residential training at HTA respectively. Narcotics Officers will be trained with Police Officers at HTA. Inspectors and Sergeants will undergo a well-structured curriculum to learn criminal and drug laws, self-defence tactics, weapons handling, leadership development, etc.
4. What is the career path of a Narcotics Officer?
Upon completion of the training at HTA, Direct-Entry Inspectors will embark on foundation postings with the Enforcement and Investigation Divisions, with each posting lasting about a year. Direct-Entry Sergeants would be posted to Enforcement or Investigation Divisions for your foundation posting, with your first posting lasting 2 to 4 years.*
During your career, Narcotics Officers will be given opportunities for regular rotation at our operational divisions (Enforcement Division, Investigation Division, Intelligence Division, Operations Division) or staff divisions. This is aimed at broadening your exposure to new work functions and responsibilities, to facilitate your professional development. Do refer to our Career Roadmap for more information.
*Note that these are typical posting durations which may differ for some officers.
For enquiries on joining CNB, please contact us at CNB_recruitment@cnb.gov.sg.