Monroe Township in New Jersey Swears in First Indian American Police Officer Ritik Bedi
- Ritik Bedi, a recent graduate of the Cape May Police Academy, was sworn in on May 17 along with eight new officers.
New Jersey’s Monroe Township is diversifying its police force. Last week, the police department hired its first Indian American officer. Ritik Bedi was sworn in on May 17 along with eight new officers during the first in-person swearing-in ceremony in two years, as reported by central jersey.com.
A native of Monroe, Bedi is a recent graduate of the Cape May Police Academy where he was awarded the High Academic Achievement award. He completed his schooling at Monroe Township High School in 2018. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from The College of New Jersey in 2021.
“Working side by side with the men and women of this department is truly an honor,” Bedi told News 12 New Jersey. “It is a blessing and being the first one of Asian-Indian descent is special to me, and I hope the residents of our town as well.”
Throughout his high school and college years, the young officer served as an EMT for Monroe Township Emergency Medical Services. He was a member of the high school’s Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council and led the drunk driving prevention program for the high school. He is fluent in Hindi and Punjabi.
Bedi told News 12 that he wants “to bolster positive interactions between law enforcement and the public.” He is fluent in Hindi and Punjabi. The township has experienced a rapid growth rate in its Indian American population, with an estimated 5,943 (13.6%) as of 2017, which was 23 times the 256 (0.9%) counted as of the 2000 Census.
In a statement, Mayor Stephen Dalina expressed pride in Bedi for “choosing to serve the community in which he was raised.” Adding that Officer Bedi will be “a terrific addition” to the police department, Dalina thanked “the many Asian Indian residents of Monroe who bring a wealth of culture, volunteerism, and service to our community.”