New York: In the US state of Connecticut, Lt. Manmeet Colon, a 37-year-old Sikh woman officer of Indian ancestry, has sworn in as the assistant police chief, becoming the division's first-ever second-in-command of Asian ethnicity.
In a ceremony on Friday, Colon, a 15-year veteran of the New Haven Police Department (NHPD), was sworn in as the third assistant police chief of the city, reports New Haven Independent newspaper.
The Board of Police Commissioners Chair Evelise Ribeiro noted that Colon, a native of Bombay, is the department's second-ever female assistant chief of colour and its first Indian assistant chief, and that the ceremony represented "another glass barrier being smashed."
During the ceremony on Friday, Colon thanked her coworkers, family, and friends and said, "With tremendous authority comes great responsibility and ever greater accountability." Colon joined the force 15 years ago and emigrated to the country with her family when she was 11 years old, according to the newspaper.
She is a member of what Ribeiro referred to as the "dream team" that Police Chief Karl Jacobson has assembled, which also includes fellow assistant chiefs David Zannelli and Bertram Ettienne.
Colon worked as a patrolman, a detective in the special victims unit, a sergeant overseeing the robbery and burglary section, a lieutenant and district manager, and most recently, as the chief of the Internal Affairs division, according to the study.
Police Chief Jacobson described Colon as being "tough but also very kind." "My ancestors are Sikhs. I'm Punjabi-speaking. I have a lot of pride in my background "The publication earlier this month cited Colon as saying.
"The department's mission and ideals are more crucial. To me, being neutral and fair is everything. I feel like I offer a lot to the table, Colon said, adding, "I am delighted there is a place for me at the table. My background, my morals, my family's values, and traditions." Her older daughter Milan and Colon's brother Prabhjyot Singh affixed the new assistant chief badge to Colon's outfit. The oath of office was then administered, according to the story, by Mayor Justin Elicker.
The brand-new assistant police chief reminded her coworkers to keep in mind "how fortunate you are to be part of such a wonderful and strong profession," especially on difficult days. Colon completed his studies in criminal justice at the University of New Haven after completing the police academy in December 2008.
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