Leicester, Sep 29, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Manjit Atwal, one of the highest-ranking Sikh women in UK police history, has retired after a distinguished career spanning almost three decades.
Atwal, who broke barriers as the first Sikh woman police officer in Leicestershire, served in numerous roles from hostage negotiation to developing strategies for handling sexual crimes, leaving an indelible mark on British policing.
Reflecting on her early days, Atwal recalled, “There weren’t many people who looked like me, and there were even fewer women” when she joined the force in 1996.
Over time, she rose to the rank of Chief Superintendent and was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. She also contributed significantly to Operation Soteria, a national initiative aimed at improving the police’s response to rape and sexual offences.
Atwal spoke about the transformation she witnessed during her service: “Leicester is such a vibrant, multicultural city, and our police force must mirror the communities we serve. Over the last 28 years, there have been so many changes.
From the evolution of the uniform – going from skirts to trousers – to seeing more women in the force and advancements in technology. Our workforce has become much more diverse as well.”
Throughout her career, Atwal also worked for 12 years as a hostage negotiator, a role that required immense skill and composure.
However, she admitted that one of her biggest challenges was balancing her role as a woman of color and a mother, especially with the demanding shift schedules in place at the time. “But I worked through those barriers and helped implement changes along the way,” she added.
Atwal expressed her hopes for more diversity in leadership positions, stating, “I hope that one day, we will see a Chief Constable from a minority community.”
Chief Constable Rob Nixon praised Atwal for her outstanding contributions, particularly for building trust within the community, which he said “strengthened the public’s confidence in the force.” He also noted her internal legacy of inspiring other staff and officers to remain committed to the force with integrity and a strong community focus.
As for her future plans, Atwal said she intends to take some personal time. “As I progressed in my career, my children grew up. Now I have grandchildren, and I want to spend more time with them and my family. I also want to reinvent myself in this new chapter of my life as the new Manjit,” she shared.
Atwal’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career defined by service, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements in the face of challenges. Her legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of officers.
FAQs:
1. Who is Manjit Atwal?
Manjit Atwal is a decorated UK police officer who recently retired after nearly 30 years of service. She was the first Sikh woman to join Leicestershire police and rose to the rank of Chief Superintendent, earning the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
2. What roles did Manjit Atwal serve in during her police career?
Atwal served in various roles, including as a hostage negotiator for 12 years and as part of initiatives to improve the police’s handling of sexual crimes, such as Operation Soteria.
3. What challenges did Manjit Atwal face in her career?
Atwal faced challenges as a woman of color and a mother in the UK police force, especially with demanding shift schedules. She also navigated being one of the few women and the first Sikh woman in her role when she began her career in 1996.
4. What honors did Manjit Atwal receive?
Manjit Atwal was honored with the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, a prestigious award recognizing her contributions to law enforcement in the UK.
5. What are Manjit Atwal’s plans after retirement?
Atwal plans to spend more time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and looks forward to reinventing herself in the next chapter of her life.
