The Houston Police Department announced at a news conference on Monday that it will make changes in their uniform policy to pay tribute to a fallen Sikh officer. Under the new policy, Sikh officers are allowed to wear their articles of faith while on duty.

"[Houston Police] is now the largest law enforcement agency in TX to adopt a policy allowing officers to wear articles of faith on duty," the City of Houston said in a tweet.

The policy change was first signed on Oct. 11 in the memory of Indian-American Sandeep Dhaliwal, the first Sikh deputy of the Harris County Sheriff's Office and its veteran of 10 years. Dhaliwal, 42, was shot dead while conducting a routine traffic stop in September. In 2015, Harris County Sheriff’s Office took a landmark decision by changing its policy that allowed Dhaliwal to wear the Sikh turban and a beard along with his service uniform. His untimely death prompted the department to fast-track the uniform policy process.

"I know that [Sikhs] have a proud history as first responders & members of the military. [Houston Police Department] can be their home," Mayor Sylvester Turner was quoted in the tweet.

"You can't just be welcoming and diverse. You have to be inclusive," Police Chief Art Acevedo, said. "And inclusivity and bringing people in means that we had to change our policy."

The policy change was lauded by Sikh advocacy groups.

"This policy change shows that no one should ever choose between their faith or their career, and also that these articles of faith pose no barrier to service," Nikki Singh, policy and advocacy manager for the Sikh Coalition, told CNN.

Once rulers of the Punjab, Sikhs were considered a martial race by the subcontinent's British colonisers
Once rulers of the Punjab, Sikhs were considered a martial race by the subcontinent's British colonisers AFP / NARINDER NANU
RELATED STORIES