Parm Kaur Sandhu
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.
