For Immediate Release
Primary Press Contact: Graham West
Media and Communications Director, the Sikh Coalition
graham@sikhcoalition.org, 817-800-8873
Secondary Press Contact: Harkeet Singh
Media and Communications Manager, the Sikh Coalition
harkeet@sikhcoalition.org, 925-315-7872
Sikh Americans in Law Enforcement, Military Pay Tribute to Deputy Dhaliwal by Calling for Change
Deputy Dhaliwal was a trailblazer whose life was dedicated to service. His legacy should further the cause of all Americans who wish to serve their communities and their country.
October 2, 2019 (Houston, TX) -- Today, as our prayers and hearts remain with the family of fallen Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, 98 former and current Sikh servicemembers and law enforcement officials delivered letters to the U.S. Department of Defense and national police agencies advocating for changes to accommodation policies for religious minorities. In tribute to Deputy Dhaliwal’s service, these Sikh Americans urge their respective institutions to streamline the process for all Americans who are willing and able to serve with their religious articles of faith in tact. Several of the signatories have flown to Houston for the funeral service today as the city and Sikh American community continues to mourn and pay tribute to Deputy Dhaliwal.
The first letter urges state and local law enforcement to adopt clear accommodation policies for aspirant officers following in Deputy Dhaliwal's footsteps. The second letter calls on the U.S. Department of Defense to implement a streamlined accommodation process across all branches of the U.S. military, similar to the policy change implemented by the U.S. Army in 2017, allowing for the pre-accession religious accommodation of observant Sikh service members. These calls for action are urgently needed: At present, approximately 25 U.S. law enforcement agencies have permitted religious accommodations for Sikhs, while the U.S. Air Force, Marines, and Navy still have policies that prohibit Sikhs and other religious minorities from serving with their religious articles of faith.
“In 2015, Deputy Dhaliwal became the first Sikh on the force to wear his articles of faith, including his turban and unshorn hair, while serving,” explained Manpreet Singh, Sikh Coalition board member and Houston community leader. “In doing so, he exemplified the Sikh ideal of seva, or selfless service to his community. Though his passing is deeply painful, it serves as an important reminder that the Sikh faith poses no barriers to serving our communities proudly.”
CPT Simratpal Singh, a former Sikh Coalition client, added: “As a Sikh who serves in the military, I was once asked to make the impossible choice between my faith and my career. Thanks to advocacy and legal action, the U.S. Army ultimately changed their policy for religious accommodations, creating a clearer path for Sikhs and other religious minorities who want to serve. Further changes in the other branches of the military and police forces across the nation will ensure that others have the same essential opportunity.”
Deputy Dhaliwal was beloved by his colleagues and the Houston community--and he was widely regarded as a role model for young Sikh Americans wishing to serve their communities in law enforcement. By advancing long overdue policies in his name, Sikhs in law enforcement and the military hope to to ensure that the next generation of public servants is able to follow their career calling while staying true to their faith traditions.
The Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh civil rights organization in the United States, has been a leading force working to secure religious accommodations for minority communities in the public and private sectors, including law enforcement and the military. For more information, including interviews with Sikh community leaders in Houston, including Sikh service members or photos from the memorial service, please contact Graham West or Harkeet Singh.
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