Chasing Victory: The Kiwi-Indian Cop From Karnal Setting New Benchmarks In Athletics

Constable Gulab Singh isn’t just serving the community in uniform — he’s also sprinting for it. The 36-year-old Kiwi-Indian police officer is making his mark both in ethnic community outreach and in competitive athletics.

Born and raised in Karnal, Haryana, Singh — now an Ethnic Liaison Officer with the New Zealand Police — moved to New Zealand in 2009. Before stepping into his current role, he worked across various sectors, including construction and later as a bakery manager. But it wasn’t long before he recognised a growing need within the Indian community, particularly among migrants navigating language and cultural barriers.

“I wanted to fill the gap faced by the Indian community, and I felt I could do more,” he says.

That conviction led him to join the New Zealand Police in 2022, starting his career in Manurewa before moving to the Avondale station.

But Singh’s story doesn’t end with the badge.

Alongside serving his community, he’s been quietly blazing a trail on the athletics track. Over the last eight years, Singh has actively competed as a sprinter, taking part in the 60m, 100m, and 200m events — all while balancing the demands of police work and community outreach.

At the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games 2025 in Hobart, Tasmania, he represented the New Zealand Police in the 35–39 age category, winning three gold medals — in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay — and a silver in the Swedish relay.

“I want to learn as much as I can so I can pass this on to younger kids,” he says.

His winning streak began long before the Hobart Games. In 2024, Singh clinched three golds at the New Zealand National Masters Track and Field Championship. The achievement earned him the title of Master Athlete of the Year from Waitakere Athletic Club, where he remains a dedicated member.

His journey in athletics began in 2015–16, during his police preparation years.

“When I was preparing for the police, I joined a running club to improve my fitness — and that’s when I realised I might actually be good at it,” he recalls.

Now a registered community coach with Athletics New Zealand, Singh trains young sprinters, sharing both technique and motivation. It's his way of paying it forward — instilling confidence and discipline in the next generation.

Off the track, Singh uses his voice just as powerfully. He regularly appears on ethnic radio platforms including Radio Spice, Daily Khabar, and Punjabi Radio, discussing topics such as drowning prevention, road safety, and home safety.

“My role involves engaging with our diverse communities through media,” he explains. “Being Indian and knowing Hindi and Punjabi, I feel I can bridge the gap between the two.”

Whether it’s through community policing or crossing finish lines, Constable Gulab Singh is doing more than representing — he’s redefining what service looks like.