A HIGHLY DECORATED police officer who moonlighted as a loan shark and pub manager, and was fined $2,000 on Friday, stands to lose his job.

Station Inspector James Daniel Lim, 34, admitted in a district court to doling out $3,600 in loans and running a bar in Katong Village while off duty, both violations of police regulations under the Police Force Act.

While he was not charged with any criminal offences, his lawyer said Lim realises he will surely be fired from the Intelligence Division of the Criminal Investigation Department, wiping out his 15 years of service.

The officer was decorated last year for helping collar three kidnappers and recovering nearly $200,000 of ransom money.

He was also commended in 2002 for helping to solve a murder and was recognised a year later for his role in nabbing a serial rapist.

The court heard on Friday that Lim, with a friend, managed the Crew Room Live pub in Katong Village from Nov 2006 to June last year. Police officers require permission to take up another job.

Lim also made loans to cash-strapped friends, although he claimed the money came from a loan shark. Last March, he lent $2,000 to a drinking buddy at 20 per cent interest.

Lim even asked for a copy of his friend's Credit Bureau Report and photocopies of his identity card. He would also levy a $50 charge for each day the payments were late.

A third charge of lending $1,600 to another man last April was considered by the judge in sentencing. Lim was fined the maximum $1,000 for each of the two charges he pleaded guilty to.

He could also have been jailed for up to six months Despite the charges, Lim's lawyer, Mr Christopher Bridges, said that there was no dereliction of duty.

'The offences relate to disciplinary conduct and do not involve any dishonesty,' he said.