A Leicestershire Police “role model” recently awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) in this year’s Birthday Honours list says she was left shocked and speechless at the honour.
Chief Inspector Manjit Atwal (pictured left), dubbed a “truly inspiring officer in policing” by her team, has been recognised for her dedication to the job and support shown to others in a career spanning more than 24 years.
She said: “I was totally shocked and speechless when I found out I was to be awarded a QPM. It is such an honour and I feel truly grateful to have even been nominated, especially when I think of all the amazing people who deserve recognition for the incredible work they do.
“I have been fortunate to work with so many talented and committed people across my many years in policing and my achievements have only been possible because of the fantastic teams I have been a part of.”
In her time, she has worked in 18 different areas of policing – including neighbourhood policing, youth offending, operational planning, intelligence gathering and counter terrorism. She is also a nationally-trained hostage and crisis negotiator.
Until July 2019, she had spent more than two years as the Commander of the City Neighbourhood Policing Area before taking up roles working with partners to help tackle and prevent serious violent crime.
Alongside her career, Atwal is also Chair of the Sikh Police Association and an active part of the Women’s Inclusive Network. Leicester Police said that she has been highlighted as an “exemplary advocate for those under-represented in policing” – providing coaching and mentoring to a number of officers through promotion and personal development programmes.
“It sounds like a cliché, but policing was something I’d always wanted to do from a young age growing up in Derbyshire. I’d seen a female Asian officer working in the city centre and I thought ‘I’d like to do that’. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities my career so far has given me, including this incredible honour and I look forward to see where the next few years will take me,” she says.
With a number of accolades already to her name, including Student Officer of the Year, Beat Bobby of the Year and Asian Community Person of the Year, Chief Inspector Atwal is no stranger to winning awards.
And, another similar British Indian role model is PC Rani Gundhu, who is West Midlands Police’s longest serving female officer, having spent 33 years in the force.
She also expresses her delight as well as complete shock at being recognised with her “humble” duties by the Queen.
She said: “I am delighted to receive this honour. I so wish my late father was with us to witness this; it truly is a huge shock. Thank you so much to all the people that made this happen, for I am but a humble soul doing my part for humanity.
"I've seen a lot of changes in policing over the last three decades, but my desire to make a difference remains as strong now as it did when I first joined."
PC Gundhu has worked in specialist departments across the force, ranging from serious complex crime to neighbourhood policing and many home-office projects. She thrives on building confidence and trust in community cohesion and collaborative working.
PC Gundhu now works in the West Midlands’ Positive Action team, taking steps to improve equality in the workplace. The aim is to increase diversity along all protected characteristics within West Midlands Police, the force said.
*Many similar high-achievers will be recognised at the first-ever iGlobal Impact Awards 2020. Register here to stay tuned on the winners.