- First woman ASP of the Special Task Force of Police
N.T.N. Kumari, a Chief Inspector of the Police Special Task Force (STF) was recently promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), making her the first woman ASP of the STF. Along with officer Kumari, eight other chief inspectors were promoted to the rank of ASP.
Selections were made out of the 52 Chief Inspectors and two Woman Chief Inspectors serving in the STF; the officer promotions were conducted by the Public Service Commission based on the recommendations of the Police Department, the STF, and the Defence Ministry.
Speaking to ASP Kumari about the promotion, she shared that she is incredibly proud of her achievement. However, she added that she was confident that she would receive the promotion as she has worked for it. She has even received international accolades in sports; as a taekwondo athlete she has won a medal at the SAARC Games, and she is currently the Chairperson for the Selection Committee of the National Taekwondo Federation.
She joined the police force in 1997 and after her selection into the STF following her initial police training, she has remained at the STF for the entirety of her career. She shared that for over two decades she received nothing but support and that she must extend her gratitude to all of her senior officials for taking her under their wing.
Kumari was part of the very first batch of women officers selected into the STF and she shared that despite being a woman, she and her female colleagues received the same training and exposure, and most importantly, they were all afforded the same treatment, respect, and opportunities as their male counterparts.
She noted that one of the major factors owing to her current success was this training which she received as a part of the STF. She said that the training is intensive and very extensive and that it gives anyone who undergoes that training the ability to overcome just about anything. “The training is so incredible and I think it is the reason I was able to build myself up. I am so grateful for that training I received. I am able to handle and face just about any situation with great confidence and strength because I received that initial foundation,” she said.
A mother of two daughters, she shared that her daughters and her husband were her greatest strength to keep going and better herself in this chosen field. “There were certain weekends when I couldn’t remain at home because I had various courses to attend to, when I was gathering my qualifications, furthering my education, and during those times, my husband encouraged me to keep going, offering to take on all of the family and household responsibilities so I could carry on without any burden,” she said. She also said that her daughters were equally supportive and she is proud to have come to heights so that her daughters can see firsthand what women are capable of.
ASP Kumari stated that she is certainly proud of her achievements, and stated that she believes that while she may be the first female ASP at the STF at this moment, she most certainly will not be the last and that the system supports its officers. She added that we can be sure to see a much more inclusive force in the years to come.