After more than three decades in uniform, Narinder Kaur Sidhu is swapping her police badge for a microphone.
The trailblazing former Thames Valley Police officer has today launched her new podcast, Behind the Badge and the Bindi, a bold and deeply personal platform that delves into her journey as the first Sikh female officer in her borough—and amplifies the often-unheard stories of South Asian women.
Picture credit: Thames Valley Police
“I wore my badge with pride,” says Narinder, reflecting on her 30-year policing career. “It was about protecting, leading, and navigating different spaces so people like me could have a voice.”
Joining Thames Valley Police at a time when Asian women were rare, if not unheard of, in British policing, Sidhu faced overt racism and internal misunderstandings. “I had colleagues who had never worked with a person of colour before,” she shares. “Some didn’t know anything about Sikh culture, and I often found myself having to educate them. I remember one saying, ‘We used to deal with them, and now we’re working with one.’”
But Sidhu was undeterred. “Those who know me know I don’t shy away. I wasn’t going anywhere. I was there to represent my community,” she says.
Her podcast’s title is more than a catchy phrase—it’s a reflection of her dual identity. “Behind the Badge is my police service. The Bindi represents heritage, femininity, tradition—the cultural weight we carry as South Asian women, even when no one else sees it.”
Behind the Badge and the Bindi will explore a wide range of topics—from her early days patrolling the streets to pioneering work in safeguarding and tackling issues like honour-based abuse and female genital mutilation. But it’s not just about her. Sidhu’s vision is to create a platform for other South Asian women to speak up about their lived experiences—the struggles, the successes, and the silent battles often hidden behind closed doors.
“There are so many taboo subjects in our communities—domestic abuse, spiritual manipulation, faith-related abuse. These stories need a safe space. That’s what I want to create,” she says.
Picture credit: Narinder Kaur Sidhu
Now CEO of a consultancy firm specialising in safeguarding, Sidhu is also a national trainer for SafeLives and a lecturer at the London Policing College. Despite retiring, she admits, “I’m busier now than I was as an officer—but I’ve loved every step.”
Her motivation for policing stemmed from an early desire to serve her community and a childhood fascination with the TV series The Bill. “I wanted to be June Ackland,” she laughs. “My brother even bought me a VHS of episodes. That’s what sparked it.”
Her career included frontline policing, complex investigations, and leadership in domestic abuse response. She introduced initiatives like visits to places of worship to educate fellow officers and break down cultural barriers.
But policing has changed, she says—some for the better, some not. “When I started, there were no staff associations, no support for officers from minority backgrounds. That’s changed. But we’ve also lost some of that neighbourhood policing—walking the streets, knowing the people.”
With her podcast, she’s hoping to bridge that gap in a different way. “It’s about grassroots connection again, but through stories.”
She’s calling on listeners to join her on the journey—whether to learn, share, or simply support. “If it resonates with you—great. If you’re just curious—great. Share it with a friend. Let’s get as many people involved as possible.”
Her message to young women considering policing is one of encouragement and resilience. “Have self-belief. Know your worth. It’s not easy, but it’s rewarding. If you’ve got a dream—like I did watching The Bill—you can make it happen.”
The first episode of Behind the Badge and the Bindi was released earlier today (Monday, May 12).
To listen to the first episode, visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/5c9X6AJaoGgPicQlBS5RWA
