Police officer of Indian origin now highest-ranking South Asian woman in NYPD
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New York: After being recently promoted to the rank of Captain, Indian-born police officer Pratima Bhullar Maldonado is now the highest-ranking South Asian woman in the New York Police Department.
Maldonado is in charge of South Richmond Hill's 102nd Police Precinct in Queens.
She was promoted to the rank of Captain last month, CBS News reported on Monday.
The mother of four was born in Punjab and lived there until she was 9 before moving to Queens in New York.
"It feels like coming home. I spent more than 25 years of my life in this precinct when I was growing up," Maldonado said.
South Richmond Hill is home to one of the largest Sikh communities in the country.
"Going to the same Gurdwara that I did as a child, and now as a captain, I love it," Maldonado said as she visited the gurdwara.
She told CBS 2 her new role will help with community policing.
"There are language barriers. For people who can't speak the language, English is a second language.
I've seen that firsthand growing up here," she said.
It wasn't easy climbing the ranks, the report said. "Getting out there and working, and protecting people that are cursing you out sometimes and not appreciating what you're doing, but you still got to do what you got to do," Maldonado said.
"It's a big responsibility. I want to be a better and positive example, not only for my community but for other women, and kids that see us every day. Because that would change their perspective of how they view law enforcement," she added.
According to the NYPD, of the department's 33,787 members, 10.5 per cent are Asians.
"I feel extremely proud. It's good to show other up-and-coming Asian, South Asian women that if you work hard enough you too can climb the ladder of success," Maldonado said.
As New York City celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Maldonado reflected on her late father.
"My dad actually drove a taxi for many years. He supported us. He was a hard worker. He passed away in 2006 before I became a cop. He would have been so proud right now," she said.
With PTI inputs
