Counter-terrorism. Riot police. Bomb disposal. Criminal forensics. If you were thinking of CSI (Crime Series Investigation), you were wrong. All these themes are part of a new MediaCorp drama premiering on 31 May.

Going by the title C.L.I.F., this cop drama has a pretty star-studded cast lined up for local audiences, with the likes of Malaysian actress Chris Tong, Qi Yuwu, Joanne Peh, Elvin Ng and veteran Tay Ping Hui. C.L.I.F. stands for Courage, Loyalty, Integrity and Fairness, the core values of the Singapore Police Force.

And the presence stars was further emphasised by supporting cast member Rayson Tan. “Everyone here is a star, save for the one next to me,” he joked, pointing at colleague Adam Chen.

Actor Adam Chen plays a bodyguard to diplomats in C.L.I.F.

Defending himself, Chen rebuked, “But I’m the best dressed around here!” Fully suited up, Chen explained that his role in the drama was that of a diplomatic bodyguard.”

The jovial atmosphere was apparent among the cast throughout the 2-hour conference. One by one, as the microphone was passed around, up stepped Rebecca Lim. The former Miss Singapore Universe finalist, who plays a forensic scientist, showed a humourous side to her rather gory and macabre role. “When someone dies in the show, I appear,” she quipped.

But the biggest comedian of the afternoon was long-time actress Aileen Tan. The 44-year-old spoke the longest when it came to talk of her 23 years in showbiz. “The older I get, the more ‘exclusive’ roles I get to play,” she emphasised. “Whether it is acting as an ‘auntie’, a housewife or even a swindler, I can be assured that Joanne Peh will never be able to snatch such roles from me,” joked the one-time Star Awards Best Actress, referring to the more senior roles she has to take on due to her age.

On a more nostalgic note, Tan rambled on, “It feels like going back to the days when I was an NPCC (National Police Cadet Corps) cadet!”

Besides nostalgia, another the cast used to describe their experience on the show was ‘realistic’. Former beauty queen Jade Seah enjoyed playing her role as a Police Coast Guard, handling flare guns and other forms of weaponry. “But my only grouse is that the garb is heavier and thicker compared to what I usually wear. I loved being out at sea, but after two days offshore, I became seasick!” Still she felt honoured to play her part. “It’s an important role that audiences don’t usually get to see.”

At the end of the conference, the biggest star was most definitely acting stalwart Tay Ping Hui. The 40-year-old has starred in 11 cop dramas throughout his 13-year career, with C.L.I.F. being his 12th. Still, Tay had no qualms about reprising such roles again.

“Yes, I have to play as a cop again,” he rolled his eyes. “But it’s still a good opportunity to debunk common myths among the public that police officers are stiff and emotionless. It goes against the tide and shows that even cops are human – they have feelings, too.”

Tay plays Chong Yee Tat, a Senior Station Inspector. In the drama, his character takes on the responsibility of leading bomb disposal units and security of diplomats.

So since Tay, who got hitched to university lecturer Edna Lim last June, seems tired of playing police roles, is there a chance that he would take on a different stage, exchanging his blue fatigues for an all white uniform in the People’s Action Party?

“Well, the windows are open and I’m not ruling out (any possibilities of running as a PAP candidate). So for me, it’s never say never.”

The 20-episode C.L.I.F. (警微天职) runs from Mondays to Fridays at 9pm on MediaCorp Channel 8.