After 28 years in the UK police force, Manjit Atwal, the first Sikh woman police officer in Leicestershire, has announced her retirement. Atwal made significant contributions during her stint in the police force and reached the rank of chief superintendent, making her one of the highest-ranking Sikh female police officers in the UK. During her tenure, Atwal experienced significant changes, including technological advancements and improved inclusivity. She also earned the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
During her time in the force, Atwal worked as a hostage negotiator for 12 years and played a significant role in Operation Soteria, which is a national initiative that aims to improve the police’s response to rape and other sexual offences. Speaking about her experience, Atwal revealed that, as a woman of colour and a mother, she had to overcome several obstacles to achieve her goals. However, she was able to make significant progress throughout her career.
Atwal revealed that one of the most significant changes she noticed is the rise in diversity in the police force. She noted an increase in the number of women in the job, and she believes that building a police force that represents the wider community is critical. Atwal hopes to see more minorities and women, she said, with the ultimate goal of having a chief constable from a minority community.
Chief Constable Rob Nixon praised Atwal’s commitment to her job and revealed that her legacy would remain an inspiration to officers and staff in the police force. He acknowledged that her ability to inspire trust in communities helped to build trust in the police force.
As Atwal enters retirement, she plans to take some time out to spend with her family and grandchildren and looks forward to “reinventing herself as the new Manjit.
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