John Le Cain

by Chia, Joshua Yeong Jia

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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. Hor, K. (2005, December). Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police. Police life monthly, 31(12), 10–11. (Call no.: RSING 363.2095957 PL); Some prominent Eurasians. (2006, April 15). The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
2. Hor, K. (2005, December). Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police. Police life monthly, 31(12), 10. (Call no.: RSING 363.2095957 PL); Some prominent Eurasians. (2006, April 15). The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Hor, K. (2005, December). Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police. Police life monthly, 31(12), 10–11. (Call no.: RSING 363.2095957 PL)
4. Hor, K. (2005, December). Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police. Police life monthly, 31(12), 11. (Call no.: RSING 363.2095957 PL); First Asian promoted to head Singapore Police Force. (1964, July 3). The Straits Times, p. 9; Acting in no.2 police job. (1961, October 13). The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
5. Hor, K. (2005, December). Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police. Police life monthly, 31(12), 11. (Call no.: RSING 363.2095957 PL)
6. Ong, L. (2005, December). Launch of John Le Cain Collection. Police life monthly, 31(12), 8. (Call no.: RSING 363.2095957 PL); Hor, K. (2005, December). Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police. Police life monthly, 31(12), 11. (Call no.: RSING 363.2095957 PL); Revisiting past. (2005, November 23). The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
7. Hor, K. (2005, December). Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police. Police life monthly, 31(12), 11. (Call no.: RSING 363.2095957 PL)
8. Hor, K. (2005, December). Mr John Le Cain – SPF’s First Assistant Commissioner of Police. Police life monthly, 31(12), 11. (Call no.: RSING 363.2095957 PL)



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.

 

Subject
Award winners--Singapore--Biography
Personalities
Le Cain, John, 1912-1993
Police--Singapore--Biography
Singapore--Officials and employees--Biography