NEW YORK (TIP): The New York Police Department (NYPD) has got its first female turbaned Sikh auxiliary police officer, whose induction aims to motivate others to join law enforcement and help create better understanding of Sikhism.

Gursoach Kaur will join the New York Police Department as an Auxiliary Police Officer (APO), after having graduated last week from the New York City Police Academy.

“We are proud to welcome first Sikh turbaned female Auxiliary Police Officer in the New York Police Department. APO Gursoach Kaur and other Auxiliary Police Officers graduated from the academy. We are proud of you. Stay safe. #sikhsinlawenforcement,” the Sikh Officers Association tweeted.

Sikh Officers Assoc.

@SikhOfficers

 We are proud to welcome first #Sikh Turbaned female Auxiliary Police Officer in the @NYPDnews. APO Gursoach Kaur and other Auxiliary Police Officers graduated from the Academy. We are proud of you. Stay safe. #sikhsinlawenforcement

The association said in a Facebook post that it is “proud” to welcome Kaur to the Police Department.

“Your service will be a motivation for others to join the Law enforcement Family,” it said.

The association is the nation’s first organization to represent Sikh Officers in Law Enforcement.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri also tweeted about Kaur, expressing hope that a turbaned lady officer will help create better understanding of Sikhism in the US.

@HardeepSPuri

 Follow @HardeepSPuri

Delighted to see a turbaned lady officer in NYPD. Hope this fosters better understanding of Sikhism & Sikhs & corrects perceptions in US so that incident which happened with me in 2010 & recently with @Canada minister @NavdeepSBains do not recur.

Sikhs are ambassadors of harmony.