SINGAPORE: "You want to let a muscle cramp defeat you? … You go back, you're going to regret."

Shouts of encouragement like these echoed through Changi Prison Complex on Tuesday (Oct 1), as Singapore's elite prison security force selected its next batch of officers.

Vying for spots in the Singapore Prisons Emergency Action Response (SPEAR) unit were five candidates, aged between 27 and 34.

After close to eight hours and a total of 10 physically and mentally demanding tasks, just one remained.

Four others were assessed by an on-site medical doctor, at various stages of the day, to be unfit to continue.

This process is only open to prison officers and conducted three times a year. An average of 20 to 25 people take part annuallyok777win, and the pass rate stands at 30 per cent. 

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