London:
Britain's longest serving NRI Sikh officer and Detective Constable Harinder Singh Sangha will retire this month after thirty five years of police service.
Harinder, popularly known as 'Hari' was born in Punjab's Jullundur district and was educated in Slough, Berkshire.
Harinder whose family moved to England in 1961, joined the Thames Valley Police as a police cadet on October 13, 1975 and sBritain's longest serving NRI Sikh officer and Detective Constable Harinder Singh Sangha will retire this month after thirty five years of police service.
Harinder, popularly known as 'Hari' was born in Punjab's Jullundur district and was educated in Slough, Berkshire.
Harinder whose family moved to England in 1961, joined the Thames Valley Police as a police cadet on October 13, 1975 and subsequently joined the regular service.
He was the first Asian to join the Thames Valley Police. In 1982 he joined the CID department.
As a detective constable he served on the drugs, fraud, intelligence and surveillance squads. As a member of the TVP Black Police Association he helped implement several of the recommendations from the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.
ubsequently joined the regular service.
He was the first Asian to join the Thames Valley Police. In 1982 he joined the CID department.
As a detective constable he served on the drugs, fraud, intelligence and surveillance squads. As a member of the TVP Black Police Association he helped implement several of the recommendations from the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.
In 2000, as part of the EXPO 2000, World Fair held in Hanover, Germany, he served with the German police for six months.
In December 2002, he joined the Metropolitan Police Service's elite SO13 squad. His job in the anti-terrorist branch meant that he had to travel to several countries including Pakistan, Egypt, South Africa, Holland and the USA.
In 2002, Harinder received a commendation from the German government for his work in a complex kidnapping investigation.
Harinder, whose hobbies include cricket, football, hockey and travelling, said, "After thirty five years, I need to retire. I have enjoyed my service, there were a few difficulties with a few individuals who could not accept Asian officers but in the main I have worked hard and am a role model for many in the Asian community."
Detective Sergeant Gurpal Virdi said, "Harinder will be missed, he is the only one I know who has achieved so much and in so many police services. He has been the first in many things. I wish him and his family all the best."