The Brookfield Police Department named Indian American Michael Kuruvilla the first person of color to become its police chief, India Today reports.
After receiving his MSW from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2006, Kuruvilla became a civilian crisis worker with the Brookfield Police Department. This signifies the first time the Police Department hired an Indian American. The current Police Chief, Edward Petrak, noticed the impressive work that Kurvilla puts into his job. Because of Kuruvilla’s dedication, Petrak recommended that he takes on his newly assigned position.
“He has all the skills and knowledge to be chief,” Petrak told Riverside-Brookfield Landmark. “Fifteen years is plenty of experience to run a department. He’s been successful at every level. He’s ready for it.”
“Coming into this, especially coming from an immigrant family, police work was not something on the radar as an option growing up. I didn’t know anyone in law enforcement,” Kuruvilla told Riverside-Brookfield Landmark.
Kuruvilla’s family hails from the Indian state of Kerala. No one in his family has ever been involved with the police force.
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“But seeing where law enforcement and the Brookfield Police Department is headed, I quickly found that my passion for the work has grown over the years,” Kuruvilla said
According to India Today, the International Association of Chiefs of Police gave the 40 Under 40 award to Kuruvilla in September of last year. Kuruvilla takes over the police chief position from Petrak on July 12.
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