“A Shopkeepers Daughter”

My name is Krishna and this is my story so far.  I am a British Indian and was born in London in 1975.  My parents emigrated to the UK in 1967 from Eldoret, Kenya. My father was working in Standard Bank in Eldoret when he was recruited by Barclays Bank due to a shortage of bank managers in the UK with an attractive offer to move to the UK on a semi-professional visa.  My parents saw this as an opportunity as at the time the country was enforcing the Africanisation Policy which saw an Indian Diaspora to the UK.  Having arrived in the UK in 1967 with only a few pounds to their name they collectively bought a house in Harrow, London.  My father left Barclay’s Bank after several years and set up his own business with his brothers.  They ran a number of successful grocery stores all over North West London for many years, I worked in most of them growing up and it inspired me with the ambition and hard work ethic I have today. 

I am one of four, I am the second youngest.  I work full time, I am a single mother and recently became a grandmother to two beautiful girls.  I moved from London in 2008 to settle in Cardiff where I now live.  I love this image – it totally captures everything about me!

I began my police career in 1999 with the Metropolitan Police Service and was stationed in South East London where I worked on a busy Response Team in Peckham for 4 years.  This is my passing out picture from Hendon, a fresh faced 24 year old recruit!

I became interested in the Detective Pathway whilst working on Operation Sapphire and went on to qualify as a Detective Constable with the Crime Academy in 2003.  I have worked within many workstreams during my career, from The Child Abuse Investigation Command, Community Safety, mainstream CID and in Safeguarding.

Some of my greatest achievements include arranging an annulment under Sharia Law in Sylhet for a young Bangladeshi woman who had come to live in the UK following a Forced Marriage.  I was also instrumental in the life imprisonment of a dangerous rapist without ever tracing the victim thus making legal history as it was the first ever case of a victimless prosecution.  I was awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation for this by the then Deputy Commissioner of the Met Sir Tim Goodwin, here is a photo of me with my family at NSY.  Being invited to NSY was a proud moment for my parents.

I was awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation for securing 26 years imprisonment for a violent robbery involving three dangerous offenders in Newport when I worked with Gwent Police.  I have received recognition for my work in Family Liaison, a role I have performed across three forces.

I trained as a Family Liaison Officer in March 2005 whilst working for the Metropolitan Police.  My first deployment was to the family of a young Mauritian female who was killed in the London Bombings on 07/07/05.  Being culturally competent meant I had an increased level of empathy with the family and were able to provide them with an enhanced service because of this. 

I have been called on to provide a link between investigators and bereaved families for both serious criminal offences and high-risk missing person enquiries.  I was deployed to the family of Nida Naseer from Pill, Newport who had disappeared from her home address in December 2013.  As a result I forged strong links with the Ahmadiyya community and was able to work well with them, again due to my language skills and cultural knowledge.  I have been deployed to bereaved families on numerous occasions – all which have their own challenges and complexities and I am happy to share these experiences and the rewarding role of being a Family Liaison Officer.

I have been an active member of both the Metropolitan Black Police Association, National Black Police Association and Gwent Police Ethnic Minority Association.  In November 2013 I was elected to the position of Communications & Events Secretary, taking up the role of Chair in 2016.  I have previously been on the Executive Committee with South Wales Police BPA and more recently have taken up a lead role in the National Women of Colour in Policing group.  These networks provide support for all, however when you have protected characteristics, there are additional barriers and difficulties to overcome within the workplace.

These networks provide safe spaces for Black and Minority Ethnic Staff and Officers to share these experiences and to celebrate the difference that we have based on our upbringings.  We enrich policing through diversity because we speak different languages, have cultural knowledge and expertise and can relate better to the issues faced by some Black and Ethnic Minority communities.  Forces which have Black and ethnic minority officers and staff are known to have stronger links, confidence and trust with their diverse communities.  I have met a lot of incredible and inspirational people along my journey and continue to do so.  I enjoy attending events which celebrate Diversity in Policing and recognising the difference that people make each and every day.

I am always looking to create ways in which Police can build faith within harder to reach communities.  For example, I worked closely with the Ahmadiyyah community who are a minority within their own faith during the Nida Naseer enquiry.  I succeeded in building trust and was welcomed into their homes regularly, invited to many events and faith talks which I see as instrumental in bridging the gap between the communities who are at the forefront of all controversial current affairs.  I always strive to build better relationships as they are the ones who are at most risk of being victimised and whom I can try to help in my capacity as a Police Officer.

When I transferred from the Metropolitan Police Service to Gwent Police, I discovered that I was the force’s only Asian female Police Officer which presented with its own challenges.  I have sought to promote the cause of Asian men and women and to work within my community to concentrate on important matters such as Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation that affects every community.  I have delivered training in-house and ran a successful Summer Awareness Campaign on FGM.

I also ran a Community Safety awareness campaign during Diwali as this is when Asian families homes are at high risk of being burgled.  I have lots of ideas and initiatives which is borne out of my cultural competency.  My faith is very important to me and to now work within a Force that appreciates Diversity and Inclusion has created a safer and more supportive working environment.

I have sadly experienced both racism and sexism during my career, it is important that our stories are shared and more importantly that we are heard by those who can influence change.  It is only when the damaging culture is addressed that steps can be made to better our experiences.  I always speak about allyship as it is more incumbent more than ever that others speak out and challenge, this is the only way culture will begin to change into a more positive and healthy one.

I currently am the Safeguarding Supervisor in the Integrated Management Team for Cardiff and the Vale.  I am always happy to have a chat and a coffee.  Thank you for reading and please get in touch if I can help with anything at all.  Above all, stay safe and keep smiling.

Krishna Chauhan

Detective Sergeant