An Indian-origin police officer in Canada has been made the new superintendent of community services for Canadian police in Surrey.
Inspector Sharnjit (Shawn) Gill, who was born in Punjab's Moga district and is currently Operations Officer for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), is the second Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Superintendent in British Columbia of South Asian descent.
In this new role, Gill will now oversee all of Surrey Detachment's community services, including community policing, youth, bikes, property crime, criminal intelligence, drugs, gang enforcement and traffic, Voice Online reported.
Gill has been with the RCMP in the Lower Mainland for over 26 years and has spent 13 years of his service in Surrey.
"I feel privileged to be coming back to Surrey and I look forward to working closely with the community to enhance public safety in our city," said Gill.
"I am fortunate to have this career in the RCMP and I acknowledge my parents for the significant role they have played - had it not been for their courage and sacrifice in immigrating to Canada in 1969, I would not be in the position that I am in today," he said.
Gill has been honoured with several awards for his services. In 1997, he was awarded Officer in Charge Certificate of Recognition for his for his role in the arrest and conviction of two serial sex offenders.
In 2012, he received Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his role as the Team Commander in charge of the pipeline bombings investigation in Northern BC.
