John Le Cain (b. 8 October 1912, Bangkok, Thailand–d. 11 January 1993, Singapore), a prominent Eurasian, was Singapore Police Force’s first Asian to be appointed Commissioner of Police.1
Early life
Le Cain was born in Bangkok, Thailand. When he was two years old, his family moved to Singapore, where he was educated at St Andrew’s School and Raffles Institution (RI). In school, he was a prefect and an all-round sportsman, and distinguished himself as a top high-jumper. He set RI’s high jump record at 5 ft 8½ in, which remained unbroken for several decades thereafter.2
Career
From 1931 to 1939, Le Cain worked in a law firm as an articled law clerk. In 1939, he joined the Straits Settlements Police Force as an Asiatic probationary inspector, and was posted to Tanjong Pagar Police Station. During World War II, from August 1942 to September 1945, Le Cain was interned by the Japanese, but he resumed his appointment in the police force after the Japanese surrender. He held various appointments, including heading the Police Training School, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, and Marine Police.3
In 1962, Le Cain was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police – the second Asian to hold the position after Song Kok Hoo. Le Cain went on to become the first Asian commissioner of police in 1963, and led the police force through the turbulent times of the Indonesian Confrontation, racial riots and Singapore’s separation from Malaysia. He retired in 1967 after an illustrious career with the police force, during which he was conferred several awards.4
After his retirement, Le Cain became the chairman of Singapore Pools in 1968. The following year, he was appointed Counsellor (Defence) to the Singapore High Commission in London.5
Death
Le Cain passed away in 1993 at the age of 80. As a tribute to his dedicated service in the police force, the John Le Cain Collection was launched on 21 November 2005 at the Police Heritage Centre.6
Appointments7
1939: Probationary Inspector, Tanjong Pagar Police Station.
1940: Posted to Special Branch (interned by Japanese authorities from 1942 to 1945).
1947: Senior Investigating Officer and later Assistant Officer-in-Charge, F Division.
1948: Assistant Superintendent of Police.
1953: Deputy Superintendent of Police.
1957: Superintendent of Police.
1960: Assistant Commissioner of Police.
1962: Deputy Commissioner of Police.
1963–1967: Commissioner of Police.
Awards8
1957: Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service
1963: Public Administration Medal, Gold (PPA)
1965: Johan Mangku Negara (a Malaysian federal award)
1967: Meritorious Service Medal (PJG)
Author
Joshua Chia Yeong Jia
References
1. K. Hor, “Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police,” Police Life Monthly 31, no. 12 (December 2005): 10–11 (Call no. RSING 363.2095957 PL); “Some Prominent Eurasians,” Straits Times, 15 April 2006, 2. (From NewspaperSG)
2. Hor, “Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police,” 10; “Some Prominent Eurasians.”
3. Hor, “Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police,” 10–11.
4. Hor, “Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police,” 11; “First Asian Promoted to Head Singapore Police Force,” Straits Times, 3 July 1964, 9; “Acting in No. 2 Police Job,” Straits Times, 13 October 1961, 11. (From NewspaperSG)
5. Hor, “Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police,” 11.
6. L. Ong, “Launch of John Le Cain Collection,” Police Life Monthly 31, no. 12 (December 2005): 8 (Call no. RSING 363.2095957 PL); Hor, “Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police,” 11; “Revisiting Past,” Straits Times, 23 November 2005), 4. (From NewspaperSG)
7. Hor, “Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police,” 11.
8. Hor, “Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police,” 11.
The information in this article is valid as at 4 July 2016 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
The information on this page and any images that appear here may be used for private research and study purposes only. They may not be copied, altered or amended in any way without first gaining the permission of the copyright holder.
Yan Kit Swimming Complex, located along Yan Kit Road, was Singapore’s second public swimming pool. Opened in 1952, the pool faced dwindling usage and high maintenance costs in later years, and was closed in 2001. ...
Public housing in Singapore may be said to have begun with the formal establishment of the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) in 1927 by the colonial government to provide low-cost housing in addition to improvement works. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) replaced SIT as the national housing authority in 1960...
The Singapore Swimming Club (SSC) was established in 1894 at Tanjong Rhu by a group of Europeans. In 1994, the club celebrated its 100th anniversary with the opening of a museum dedicated to its history and the release of a commemorative book. With a huge membership, it continues to concentrate...
Joseph Aaron Elias (b. 1881, Calcutta, India–d. 16 July 1949, Singapore), also known as Joe Elias, was a successful entrepreneur and well-known personality in Singapore’s Jewish community. He held offices as a justice of peace and municipal commissioner of Singapore. Elias Road and Amber Road were named after his family....
Telok Kurau Road connects Changi Road to Marine Parade Road. Named after a fishing village called Telok Kurau on East Coast Road, the road has been a popular middle-class residential district since the 1960s....
The Bedok planning area – as delineated in 1994 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) – is bounded by Siglap Canal, Marine Parade Road, Still Road, Jalan Eunos, Eunos Link and Airport Road to the west, the Paya Lebar Airport boundary to the north and the Bedok Canal to the...
Alkaff Mansion is a 19th century colonial bungalow located on a hill at 10 Telok Blangah Green. Built in 1918 by a member of the prominent Alkaff family as a weekend house, it became known for hosting high society parties in the 1930s. The mansion once served as...
Urban planning in Singapore aims to optimise the use of the country’s scarce land resources for the diverse needs of both current and future generations of residents. It involves allocating land for competing uses such as housing, commerce, industry, parks, transport, recreation and defence, as well as determining the development...
Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) was established on 1 September 1972 as a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) to oversee the development, management and promotion of Sentosa island (previously known as Pulau Blakang Mati) into a tourist destination. Over the years, the SDC has transformed Sentosa...
The Beach Road Police Station was built by the colonial government in the early 1930s. Part of the expansion plans of the local police force during that period, the station was one of many built in the city area and it had remained operational until 2001. The colonial-style building was...