A Leicestershire officer who has dedicated her life to the police force for the last 26 years has been awarded for her duty as a civil servant at a special ceremony.
Superintendent Manjit Atwal attended the British Sikh Awards in Birmingham on Friday (18 February) and was awarded the Civil Servant of the Year Award.
Manjit (pictured) was nominated for her service to our communities and the wider work she has done over many years.
This was the first ever British Sikh Awards, organised by Oceanic Consulting, and is a tribute to the skills, achievements and successes of the Sikh community.
She said: “I was blessed to receive the Civil Servant Award as a British Sikh for my work over the past 26 years’ service as well as my wider work as the Chair of the Leicestershire Sikh Police Association (LSPA) and within the Sikh community.
“I couldn't have achieved this without the support of my family, the force, the LSPA and the community.”
Chief Constable Simon Cole, added: “This award is a testament to Manjit’s dedication to the force and the wider community.
“We are extremely proud of everything she has achieved and continues to achieve.”
Last year Manjit was awarded a QPM in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours and received the award from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at a special ceremony at Windsor Castle in October 2021.
Earlier this year Manjit was seconded to take a position at the College of Policing, working with the national Violence Against Women taskforce.
I absolutely think that's amazing and congratulations. However, why a British Sikh award? We are trying to show people we are as one, that there is no divide in race. I feel this detracts from that in a big way which is a terrible shame.