Parm Jit Kaur Sandhu (born 1963, Birmingham, United Kingdom) is a former Chief Superintendent in Britain's Metropolitan Police Service. After 30 years of service, she became the first non-white woman to be promoted through the ranks to chief superintendent.[1]

Biography

Sandhu worked for the West Bromwich Building Society (1983–1984) and the civil service (1985–1989) before becoming a career police officer in London in 1989. From 1989 to 1994 she worked across East London Boroughs involved in mainly hate and domestic violence investigations, and was given responsibility for Community and Youth involvement Police Volunteer Cadets[2] and Young people vulnerable from being involved in crime. After the 7 July 2005 London bombings[3] she worked in the Diamond Initiative[4] groups to assist the Metropolitan Police Service shape its response and create links with community groups.

In 2006, she received the Public Sector Award at the Asian Women of Achievements Awards in London.[5][6]

In 2016, Sandhu became Borough Commander for Richmond.[7]

In 2018, Sandhu and two other senior officers were the subject of a gross misconduct investigation[8] in relation to the awarding of a royal honour and allegations that Sandhu had encouraged colleagues to support her nomination for a Queen’s Police Medal (QPM). She was cleared of gross misconduct some 12 months later and then sued the MPS and agreed a confidential settlement. She retired from the Police Service the following year.

Her memoirs were published by Atlantic Books in June 2021.[9] Black and Blue: One Woman's Story of Policing and Prejudice was co-written with investigative journalist Stuart Prebble. As part of its publication, Sandhu is on record seeking change within policing to respect and increase diversity and has stated that the MPS remains 'institutionally racist'.[10][11]

Honours

RibbonDescriptionNotes
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
  • 2002
  • UK Version of this Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
  • 2012
  • UK Version of this Medal
Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

References

  1. ↑ "Met Police is still systemically racist, says former chief superintendent". EasternEye. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  2. ↑ Cadets, National Volunteer Police. "Home". National Volunteer Police Cadets. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  3. ↑ "7 July London bombings: What happened that day?". BBC News. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  4. ↑ "£11m initiative to help freed convicts fails to cut reoffending rate". www.standard.co.uk. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  5. ↑ "Senior Asian policewoman honoured". 25 May 2006. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "Professor who escaped life of drudgery wins Asian award". The Independent. 23 October 2011. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "Richmond's new borough commander is one of UK's highest ranking Asian women in policing". Richmond and Twickenham Times. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  8. ↑ "Senior Indian-origin female officer faces investigation". Deccan Herald. 7 July 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "Black and Blue". Atlantic Books. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "Cathy Newman: Met Police is in denial about racism – Parm Sandhu's revelations mean this is no longer an option". The Independent. 3 June 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  11. ↑ Reporters, Telegraph (2 June 2021). "Metropolitan Police remains 'institutionally racist', claims former chief". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
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