By Meera Majithia
meera@asianexpress.co.uk

An Asian neighbourhood police officer is encouraging more women to sign up to the force after she received two awards back-to-back celebrating her work.
On November 30th Sergeant Khizra Bano Dhindsa, 31, was commended for bravery by the West Midlands Association of Women in Policing, at the Aston Villa football ground.
In March this year Sgt Dhindsa’s impulsive actions saved the life of a mentally vulnerable 18-year-old who was holding a knife to his throat. He had already slashed his arms and legs when she had arrived on the scene.
Despite the unsuccessful efforts of other officers, she managed to gain his confidence. She then persuaded him to drop the knife and walk towards her, after which she dragged him to safety.
Sgt Dhindsa who is of Pakistani origin but was born and brought up in Birmingham, said: “At that time my reaction was very impulsive – you can’t predict what you will do in advance. All I know is I was unable to stand and watch as he further injured himself. My job was to get him out alive.
“Yes I could have been killed and some people may have thought it was irresponsible of me to do what I did.”
On November 23rd she was also given the Community Leader 2010 award from Mosaic. Speaking about receiving the award she said: “It feels absolutely phenomenal to be awarded by Mosaic, I had read about the other candidates’ work who were nominated as well and was just so proud of their achievements too.
“To win validation from people who share my cultural background is something completely different from getting praise at work.”
Her work to reduce anti-social behavior in the area of Shard End, Birmingham, was also mentioned by Home Secretary Theresa May earlier this year, which Khizra said was one of her proudest moments to date.
Commenting on the representation of Asian women in the police force, Sgt Dhindsa said: “I don’t think there are anywhere near enough Asian women in the police force and we always welcome more.
“In the nine years that I have worked here I have never been the victim of discrimination. It’s a great job and if you get it right you can have such a massive impact on people’s lives.
“I get a lot of people asking, is there a conflict between being in the police force and being a follower of Islam? All I would say is Islam encourages you to serve and engage with your community. You can go home everyday thinking ‘I’ve helped someone’.”
Sgt Khizra, who is qualified to the Inspector rank – and hoping to be promoted next year, is encouraging more women to join the force and is happy to talk to anyone who may be interested.
You can email her at shardend@west-midlands.police.uk

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