This past Wednesday, SALDEF Regional Director, and local community advocate Bobby Singh, met with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, and leaders for the department, to discuss the commitments made by Mayor Turner and Chief Acevedo to amend the uniform guidelines for the Houston Police Department (HPD).
READ: Houston Mayor and Police Chief Commit to Revising Uniform Guidelines to Allow Sikhs to Serve
In advance of the meeting, SALDEF provided a model policy recommendation, that was inclusive not just for Sikh candidates but of all candidates of faith. The model policy will provide accommodations to all those who have articles of faith that they are required to wear. The issues that were discussed included: a grooming policy for uncut beards, wearing of the Kirpan and Kara by future officers, accommodations for gas masks, the wearing of the dastaar (Sikh turban) or other religious head coverings. The meeting also discussed the recruitment of officers who will benefit from the accommodation policy.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Mayor Turner, Chief Acevedo and their teams. They have been a constant support for the Sikh community of Houston,” said SALDEF Regional Director Bobby Singh. “We are thrilled that the policy accommodation is now in affect and will open the door for Sikhs to serve while maintaining their faith. We hope that the example set by the great city of Houston will become the norm across the country.”
The policy change for the Houston Police Department is the result of years of collaboration with SALDEF and the department led by Bobby Singh. In 2015, Mr. Singh led the successful policy change and recruitment of Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department.
Additionally, Mayor Turner joined the local sangat at the Sikh Center of the Gulf Coast, in Houston, to commemorate the 550th Gurpurab Celebration of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji and to meet with community, hear concerns and get their perspectives.
On Monday, November 18, 2019, Mayor Turner, Chief Acevedo, city leaders, Sikhs from Houston and SALDEF will be holding a press conference to officially announce the accommodation policy. Local Sangat members are encouraged to join this event to show support for Mayor Turner and Chief Acevedo’s continued support for the Sikh community of Houston. The press conference will take place at 10:45 in the Legacy Room, 1st Floor, City Hall, 901 Bagby St, 77002.
SALDEF will continue to keep the community updated on the progress of this policy and all current events affecting the Sikh American community. Without your support changes like these could not happen. SALDEF relies on donors like you to help lead the way for positive policy changes that affect Sikh Americans. Thank you for your continued support and engagement.