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PSA welcomes new lead for Black, Asian and minority ethnic members



The Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) is announcing the election of a new lead for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members. Chief Superintendent Harvi Khatkar of West Midlands Police has been elected into the role, taking over the position from Chief Superintendent Bhupinder (Bobbi) Rai from Thames Valley Police.
 
The association represents superintendents and chief superintendents in 49 police forces – the 43 Home Office forces, British Transport Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Isle of Man Constabulary, the Bermuda Police Service, Royal Gibraltar Police and Gibraltar Defence Police.
 
It is led by a team of national officers, supported by a National Executive Committee (NEC), which is made up of elected representatives from members across the forces, who come together to inform policy-making. Reserved seats are held on the NEC to represent members from under-represented groups.  Harvi will work alongside colleagues representing the areas of gender, LGBT+ and disability.  
 
Harvi has served with West Midlands Police for 27 years and is currently temporary chief superintendent, head of criminal justice services.  As superintendent, a rank she reached in 2017, she has worked in local policing and for two years was the Senior Responsible Officer for the force’s biggest IT change programme.  
 
She has worked across the force in areas including local policing, response, operations, integrated offender management, partnerships and intelligence. She has also led on Home office-funded projects in relation to hate crime, domestic abuse and missing children, which resulted in changes to policy in force, the local authority and the CPS.   
 
She is the first female superintendent, tactical firearms commander and public order bronze commander in her force from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.  
 
Speaking about her election to the role, she said: “I applied for the post because I want to make a difference. I feel I can support the association in this work as I bring a breadth and depth of policing experience, as well as cultural diversity and respect for all people.  This is a fantastic opportunity to work with my colleagues to influence and shape national policy to create better opportunities for under-represented groups.  I would like to encourage and see a more inclusive culture in policing so that there is better representation of colleagues from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds at senior officer level.”

President Paul Griffiths said, “I’m delighted to welcome Harvi to this very important role for our association. Our NEC is our policy-making body, and makes strategic decisions to support our members but also to influence the wider policing agenda.
 
“With our long-term focus on valuing difference, this role is crucial in informing our work and Harvi has a wealth of experience and insight to support this. There were a number of extremely high-quality candidates interested in the role and it is fantastic to see such interest and drive in this key area for the association.
 
“I would also like to thank Bobbi Rai for everything she has done for the association over the last few years.  Her support and guidance has been so valuable and has helped us influence change, raise awareness and stimulate discussion around inclusion.”