NEWYORK: The New York Police Department has honored 200 police officers and civilians with promotions and honors, including the promotion of Pakistani-American Captain Owais Khanzada to deputy inspector.
Another 200 officers were promoted in the New York Police Department, along with Pakistani-origin Captain Owais Khanzada who promoted to deputy inspector and 39 other civilian members upgraded to the ranks.
Of these, 26 were promoted to various administrative, technical and operational positions, while 22 were made detectives second grade and 6 were made detectives first grade.
25 sergeants were also promoted and 9 of the 10 lieutenants were given special assignments.
In the higher administrative ranks, 7 officers were made deputy inspectors, 6 were made inspectors, and 4 were made deputy chiefs, including Mary King, the first Dominican female police officer in the history of the New York Police Department.
The ceremony was held at One Police Plaza, presided over by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The ceremony began with the American national anthem and the raising of the flag. A minute of silence was also observed in memory of Detective Didar-ul-Islam, who was martyred in the line of duty last week.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised the promoted officers for their bravery, professionalism, and dedication, saying that their efforts have helped bring crime rates in New York City to historically low levels.
The Pakistani community is calling Deputy Inspector Owais Khanzada’s achievement a source of pride for Pakistanis living in New York after a Pakistani-origin Captain Owais Khanzada was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector.
Sergeant Special Assignment Brian Wesley, who saved the lives of two people from a burning house in Queens, was promoted to the rank of Detective Second Grade.
The ceremony ended with a prayer by Father Lamy and the national anthem “God Bless America” sung by Officer Sante, to which the participants stood and applauded loudly and congratulated the promoted officers.
