Sikh police officer in US allowed to keep articles of faith

Updated At : 08:03 AM Feb 06, 2015 IST

Houston, February 5

An Indian-American Sikh is set to become the first police officer in the US state of Texas to serve while keeping his Sikh articles of faith, including the turban and beard.

Patrol Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal will be allowed to wear the turban and beard while patrolling the streets of Harris County in order to bolster cultural diversity. He will be the first deputy in the US state of Texas to serve with Sikh articles of faith, including the turban and beard while on the job. An official announcement in this regard will be made tomorrow.

Dhaliwal, in his late 30s, has been with the Sheriff’s office for six years.

The move is part of Sheriff Adrian Garcia’s religious accommodation policy to promote understanding, respect and to communicate with all segments of the population. “By making these religious accommodations we are joining the US military and other law enforcement agencies across the country for observant Sikh-Americans among their ranks. Harris County is no different. We are one of the most culturally rich and diverse communities in America,” Sheriff Garcia said in a statement yesterday.

Meanwhile, a prominent member of the Sikh community, Jasjit Singh, executive director of the Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund, commended the decision of the Sheriff’s office.

“With this policy, one of the largest Sheriff’s offices in the country has affirmed that a person does not have to choose between his faith and career,” he said. — PTI

Sikh police officer in US allowed to keep articles of faith

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