Columnists
An Officer and a Lady
by KHUSHWANT SINGH
A British-born Sikhni has done us proud after she was awarded the prestigious Asian Woman of Achievement Award in the UK.
42-year-old Parm Kaur Sandhu is a Chief Inspector with the Metropolitan Police (MET) and is the highest ranking female Asian officer in the UK.
"I had never thought of joining the police initially and wanted to be a teacher," said Parm in an exclusive interview fixed through the Public Relations Department of the MET police. "Till eighteen, I didn't know what to do and tried different things until a friend in the police told me about the opportunities in the MET".
"It's a credible career for any woman and for anyone from a Sikh or any other minority background," she adds, citing the Asian Woman of Achievement Award as the proudest moment of her life.
Parm Sandhu joined the police service in 1989 as a constable and was promoted as a Sergeant in 1996, to an inspector in 2000, and to Chief Inspector in 2004.
Presently working on the National Community Tensions Team that involves interacting with the local communities, Parm hopes to apply for the post of a superintendent in the near future. She is also involved with recruitment events, including acting as a mentor for other minority women within the police force.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rose Fitzpatrick, in lauding the services of Parm Sandhu, said "The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is extremely proud of Chief Inspector Parm Sandhu. Her story shows that anyone with commitment and ability can achieve success in the MPS. We need the best people to police London; the background is not important. What matters is having the talent, passion and determination for the job."
On a question about racial discrimination, Parm, while not ruling it out completely, said that recent events - i.e., the Lawrence Enquiry - have allowed the police to weed out individuals who have been acting in contravention of policies.
Presently residing in Essex, Parm loves Punjabi food and has a large and extended family. "I cook spinach, with loads and loads of butter - the best!" boasts Parm, whose main challenge has been to balance having a career with raising a family.
"But then, that goes for any career," says the Chief Inspector, who has emerged as a role-model for thousands of Sikh-British women and those from various other Asian backgrounds in the UK.
[Courtesy: Times of India]
Photos: Courtesy - "Police - The Voice of the Service". Bottom photo - Chief Inspector Parm Sandhu supervises the policing of the Judges Service at Westminster. Remaining photos - Sandhu oversees policing activities at London's high-profile events.
Conversation about this article
1: Jaz (Canada), May 15, 2007, 4:38 PM.
Congratulations, Chief Inspector! I am a Sikh female police officer in Canada and I am so proud of you! It's so encouraging and inspiring to know that your hard work has been well rewarded. Thank you!
2: Pushproop Singh (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), May 15, 2007, 9:56 PM.
It is a matter of great pride and happiness to see that Parm has done so well. She makes the entire community mighty proud. It is such achievements that will bring worldwide recognition to the community's strengths and contributions.
3: Gurmail Singh Mangat (Canada), May 15, 2007, 9:58 PM.
My family and I are very proud of you for achieving a high ranking position in the UK police force.
4: Birinderjit Singh (Chandigarh, India), May 15, 2007, 11:01 PM.
The Sikh community is proud of such brave women who pave the way for others who follow. Wishing her all the best.
5: Shivraj Singh Sandhu (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada), May 15, 2007, 11:32 PM.
I am delighted to know that one of our Punjabans has become Chief Inspector with the London Police. I wish you and your family best of luck and every success in the years to come. Congratulations!
6: Manjeet Kaur Arkh (Suva, Fiji), May 16, 2007, 2:40 AM.
Parmji, You have made the Sikhs very proud, especially at this point in time when there is increasing racism going on in the world. Wish you all the very best in your career and with your family.
7: Bhajan Singh Bains (Australia), May 16, 2007, 2:44 AM.
You make every Sikh in the world proud. Keep the achievements rolling in - we can't get enough. Congratulations from the Sikhs of Australia.
8: Amardeep Singh Anand (India), May 16, 2007, 3:05 AM.
The achievement of Parm Kaur is commendable, and has done us all proud. It will set an example to our other sisters aspiring for similar goals to move ahead.
9: Gagan Deep Kaur (Chandigarh, India), May 16, 2007, 3:09 AM.
You have created a symbol of courage and bravery for each & every woman in the whole world. Really, really proud of you.
10: Rimmi Uberoi (Northampton, England), May 16, 2007, 3:51 AM.
I read this article today and was very glad to read that you have done well. I feel proud to be a Sikh.
11: Pyara Singh (Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada), May 16, 2007, 4:11 AM.
Your success will inspire other young Sikhs to work hard in all professions. You have made us all very proud and especially so when you say with pride that you are a Sikh. I hope others will remember to follow your example. Wish you continued success and may Waheguru bless you.
12: Harpal Singh Phull (Leeds, West Yorkshire, England), May 16, 2007, 4:18 AM.
Well done, litte sis. Keep up the good work. I too live and work in the UK. I work for the AA (Automobile Association) out on the road ... seeing Sikhs in uniform makes us all proud.
13: Pervinder Singh (Bangalore, India), May 16, 2007, 4:41 AM.
Parm Sandhu has done us proud across the Sikh Community at large, and Sikh women in UK in particular, by setting such a fine example as a role model. I wish her all the best and May WaheGuru give her strength to scale new heights.
14: Gurdeep Singh (Srinagar, India), May 16, 2007, 5:11 AM.
Parm, your achievement has brought laurels to the entire Sikh community worldwide: a positive portrayal of what Sikh women are truly capable of.
15: Ajit Singh (India), May 16, 2007, 5:18 AM.
Raaj karega Khalsa! You're making Sikhs proud world-wide. Best of luck!
16: Kulbir Singh Bahl (Jaipur, India), May 16, 2007, 9:33 AM.
Heartiest Congratulations and my best wishes for all the best in life. Your achievement is marvelous and makes all Sikhs proud.
17: Satwinder Singh (Dublin, Ireland), May 16, 2007, 10:19 AM.
May Guru Sahib continue to bless all Sikhs with strengh so that they continue to make positive contibution whereever they live. Best of luck!
18: Daljeet Singh Gill (Billings, Montana, USA), May 16, 2007, 11:01 AM.
Best of luck, Parm: we are proud of you. Sikhs are rolling today.
19: Baljeet Singh (Malaysia), May 16, 2007, 12:26 PM.
Terribly proud of you! May Waheguru give you great strength, courage and wisdom to move to greater heights within the MET and serve British society with pride and excellence. God bless your parents and all in your family!
20: Santokh Singh (Port Dickson, Malaysia), May 16, 2007, 1:37 PM.
Thanks to Guru Gobind Singh for his insight and the qualities he imparted to his Sikhs ... qualities that can even be seen today.
21: Inderpal Singh Chhokra (Thailand), May 16, 2007, 2:05 PM.
May god bless you with all the best things in life and may you reach new heights.
22: Amitoj Singh (Auckland, New Zealand), May 16, 2007, 3:34 PM.
I hope, wish and pray that many individuals are inspired by your achievements, so that they can follow the path laid down by you.
23: Harkinder Singh (London, Ontario, Canada), May 16, 2007, 3:46 PM.
Honest work, commitment to do good, and strong faith, results in such achievements. Congratulations to Parm. The best thing you have done is to have presented an example, a role model for all Sikh youth, especially girls. Thanks.
24: Dr.Sanjeev Singh Chawla (Delhi, India), May 16, 2007, 11:05 PM.
Congratulations to you, Parm, on your achievments to date. May Waheguru bless you with further Sikh determination ("nischey kar apni jeet karon") in achieving even greater levels of execellence in public service.
25: Prof. Manjit Singh (Jalandhar, India), May 16, 2007, 11:25 PM.
Heartiest Congratulations, Parm. You have made all of us so proud. As daughter of Guru Gobind Singh, you will still reach further heights.
26: Cdr. Harjit Singh Girn (Kochi, Kerala, India), May 17, 2007, 12:50 AM.
Sat Sri Akal. You have set a good example. We are all very proud of you.
27: Pravi Bedi (Irvine, California, USA), May 17, 2007, 1:13 AM.
You have made all Sikhs very proud. I feel more and more Sikh men & women should take the initiative to join the police forces to serve their communities here in the USA as well in other parts of the diaspora.
28: Karunjeet Singh (Australia), May 17, 2007, 3:54 AM.
Makes me proud to be a Sikh - you have made us all proud. Looks good on ya!
29: Gurcharan Singh (Singapore), May 17, 2007, 6:21 AM.
Very proud of your achievements, Parm. Remember: Love your country! Support your armed forces! But, do not forget your religion!
30: Devinder Singh Dhanjal (Bahrain), May 17, 2007, 11:24 AM.
Wish you all the best. May Waheguru bless you with his Amrit and shower you with further successes.
31: Pardip Sidhu (USA), May 17, 2007, 12:09 PM.
Good Job. You have bigger goals awaiting you ...
32: Abhinandan Singh (Jabalpur, India), May 17, 2007, 12:36 PM.
The whole community is proud of you. Remember, Gurbani says ... "aagaha ku traagh" ... look ahead!
33: Sukh (England), May 17, 2007, 6:05 PM.
Wicked job. Keep it up!
34: Ranbir Sandhu (Toronto, Canada), May 18, 2007, 12:53 AM.
Parm's achievements inspire us all to follow her example.
35: Mandip Kaur (Nyeri, Kenya), May 18, 2007, 1:09 AM.
Well done! You have set an example for the younger generation of Sikh girls! Nothing is impossible, if one is determined.
36: Col. Ashok Singh Bindra (New Delhi, India), May 18, 2007, 6:52 AM.
Sat Sri Akal and congratulations. We are all proud of you. Keep it up, and God bless you.
37: Amarbir Singh (Melbourne, Australia), May 19, 2007, 2:59 AM.
You make the community proud. Stay in Chardi Kalaa.
38: Parvinder Singh (Poonch, J&K, India), May 21, 2007, 4:30 AM.
Sat Sri Akaal. Wish you all the best. May Waheguru bless you for all your future endeavours.
39: Surinder Singh (Glasgow, Scotland, UK), May 21, 2007, 4:01 PM.
My family and I are thrilled to read about you. We wish you the best of luck, and may Akal Purakh help you to stay in Chardi Kalaa.
40: Ravinder SIngh Dhanna (Mandi Gobindgarh, India), May 21, 2007, 7:03 PM.
I came across this article today and enjoyed reading it. Your success will inspire other young Sikhs to work hard in all professions. I hope others will follow your example.
41: Ajit Pal Kaur Tiwana (Ottawa, Canada), May 22, 2007, 8:45 AM.
Congratulations, Parm. May Waheguru bless you with every success in your career... from a fellow police-officer in Canada!
42: Ginda Singh Bhaker (London, England), May 23, 2007, 8:44 AM.
Well done Parm, you are an inspiration to the Sikh community. My son, who is 16, wants to be a Police Officer and your achievements have given him all the more reason to join. Good on you!
43: Surinder Singh Chawla (India), June 24, 2007, 3:22 AM.
Parm, You rock. May Waheguru give strength to rise higher. Nishchay kar apni jeet karon. Guru Gobind Singh Saheb rightly said - " Jo lade deen ke het, Soora so hi.."
44: Arvinder Singh (Jammu, India), August 16, 2007, 3:53 AM.
Jithe jithe Nanak naam levaa Sikh han, uthe uthe oh Sikh dharam de changey karan ge.
45: Ajitpal Singh (Yamunanagar, India), June 27, 2009, 8:30 AM.
Well, Parm, we are all proud of your achievements. God bless you. Serve your nation with full enthusiasm and courage.
46: Dimple (Barcelona, Spain), January 11, 2011, 4:02 PM.
I am very happy see to a Sikh woman working in the Britsh Police. I am very proud of her.
47: Amanveer (Glasgow, Scotland ), September 28, 2013, 5:16 PM.
Hi Parm: it's Amanveer Singh Aujla. Hope you remember me. I've read all about you in the article and I am very proud of and impressed with you. I wish I was a police officer like you.