Amrit is US county’s 1st Sikh cop to keep articles of faith
HOUSTON: Amrit Singh, an Indianamerican law enforcement officer, has scripted history by becoming the first-ever turbanwearing Sikh to be sworn in as deputy constable in Harris County in the US state of Texas.
Singh, 21, will be the first in his profession to wear his articles of faith — a turban, beard, and uncut hair in the line of duty. It was a historic day on Tuesday as Singh’s swearing-in coincided with the adoption of a new policy that allows law enforcement officers in nearly every single Harris County Constable’s Office to wear articles of their faith while in uniform. For Sikhs, that means being able to wear a turban and beard while on duty.
Singh always wanted to work as a peace officer. He spent years in law enforcement explorer programmes and five months in a police training academy.
“Growing up, I always wanted to be a deputy and my Sikh faith was also very important to me,” Singh said. “Constable Alan Rosen was the first one to give me a callback. He opened this agency with open arms for me,” he said.
Speaking at Singh’s swearing-in ceremony, Precinct 1 constable Rosen said the county’s eight constables supported accommodations for Sikhs to serve while adhering to their religion.
“To me, wearing a yarmulke or him wearing a turban really doesn’t impact the quality of work he’s going to do. It should have zero impact on public safety or what job we do. Are you going to care if the person showing up to your door to help save you has a turban or yarmulke? You’re not. You’re just happy they’re there to save you and keep you safe,” the officer said.
Singh will now go on to months of field training, after which he will be assigned to patrol within Precinct One.
In 2015, Harris County made headlines after sheriff’s deputy
Sandeep Dhaliwal fought for and won the rights to wear his turban and beard on duty. At the time of the deputy’s murder last year, just a few dozen law enforcement agencies across the United States had uniform policies with religious accommodations allowing Sikhs to serve in accordance with their faith.
“Legacy of Dhaliwal is not far removed, it clearly recognised and acknowledge his service and this is a gift that continues to give in his recognition and legacy,” said Bobby Singh, a Sikh community leader.
In 2009, Dhaliwal was the first Sikh to join the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and in 2015, he became the first Sikh law enforcement officer to be allowed to wear his articles of faith in uniform.