As Ranjna Patel, Member of the South Asian Advisory Board ‘decorated’ Gurpreet Arora with three stripes, three things happened at the same time.
The young Constable became a Sergeant, his role was elected to that of District Ethnic Services Coordinator and became a source of pride to the diverse communities.
It was a private moment for Gurpreet, for an official meeting of felicitations may perhaps ensue sometime next month, and we thought there was a cause for immediate celebration.
Mrs Patel said that she and other members of the South Asian Advisory Board (including the Editor of this newspaper) agreed with a statement issued earlier by District Commander Superintendent John Tims.
“I acknowledge the increasing diversity in our District and the appointment of Gurpreet Arora as the District Ethnic Services Coordinator in the rank of a Sergeant is indicative of the fact that promotional frameworks are available for people of South Asian origin joining the New Zealand Police,” he said.
Arriving in New Zealand in 2001 to pursue his education in IT, Gurpreet joined the Police in 2006 and worked in Christchurch. He was transferred to Auckland in 2008 and was thereafter seconded to role of South Asian Liaison Officer to serve the growing community in the Manukau region.
Since then he has worked relentless to address issues of concern to the community.
