The New York Police Departmente’s (NYPD) volunteer force was named as the head of a Pakistani-American policeman. The first Pakistani and Muslim to be elected as an auxiliary Deputy Chairman of the almost 5,000-strong department was Nasir Saleem, a 30-year old veteran of the NYPD.
The volunteer forces act as “eyes and ears” to the regular police via foot, car and bicycle patrols in the city’s neighborhoods.
“It’s a great honor […] I am speechless. I dedicate my new title to Pakistan,” said Saleem speaking to reporters after taken the oath of office on Tuesday.
Saleem was inducted into his new assignment at a ceremony where senior police officials and members of the Pakistani community were present. Captain Adeel Rana and Lt Zaigham Abbas, fellow Pakistani-American police officers, pinned badges on Saleem’s uniform.
Taking to Twitter, the New York Police Department Chief of Patrol Fausto Pichardo stated that Saleem’s “28 years and 14,000 hours does not go unnoticed”.
Auxiliary police officers are trained to observe and report on conditions requiring the services of the regular police, assisting in non-enforcement and non-hazardous duties.
