MBE for Sikh police officer

A Sikh woman who has served as a Police Constable for South Yorkshire Police for over 14 years, has been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honors list.

PC Surinder Kaur Dev is predominantly leading the way in working with minority communities in her current role as a Diversity Recruitment Officer.

Deputy Chief Constable Bob Dyson said: “Sarinder is innovative in her commitment to improving the diversity of the policing family and community relations. Her work has attracted national recognition and has improved community relations and cultural understanding.

“Sarinder has designed images that are successful in attracting women and minorities into the police service and these have been adopted by the Home Office.

“She is very modest and never seeking attention for herself. Sarinder is a very valuable member of the local community, and an excellent ambassador for SYP.”

One of her projects involved taking local young people and officers to India to celebrate diversity and at the same time, raising funds for an abandoned child charity project – the Unique Home – in Jalundhar, Punjab.

Over the last few years Sarinder has organised Bollywood events to raise money for a children’s charity in India, with famous dignitaries including Shatrughan Sinha, and this year, representatives from the Indian High Commission, Mr Jitendra Kumar. Guests were from different backgrounds and the event enhanced cultural awareness across communities in South Yorkshire.

PC Dev initiated an Inspiring Youth Award to encourage young people from minority ethnic communities to achieve their potential. She secured local sponsorship and the support of successful minority ethnic personalities, including former World Boxing Champion, Jonny Nelson, as inspirational role models.

Sarinder received a special commendation from the National Graduate Recruitment Awards for her outstanding contribution to diversity in recruitment. Sarinder organised the Black Minority Ethnic Women Recruitment Conference in Sheffield, which led to Sarinder doing a presentation in London at a national event to representatives from 43 forces.

PC Sarinder Kaur Dev said: “I am absolutely delighted to be honoured with an MBE. It is by far my biggest achievement and I am very proud, and I hope this can offer some inspiration to other Sikh women in their own professions.” Sarinder was the only officer in South Yorkshire Police to be recognised in this year’s New Year’s Honours list, and will recieve the award for services to the police.

http://www.emgonline.co.uk/news.php?news=8422

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