HOUSTON, TEXAS—One Harris County Sheriff’s deputy is not only protecting our community, but he’s taking his badge a step further and educating the public. Of the thousands of deputies, in the state’s largest sheriff’s office, Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal stands out from the rest.
“Yes I have head turns, but those head turns are good for me. I say hey how are you? You have a question?” He has the badge, he has the gun, but what completes his uniform is a turban. “I have more confidence now that my identity is complete,” said Dhaliwal. It’s also an opportunity for him to help people learn about his religion. You see his religion is the world’s 5th largest religion, and yet Sikhs are often misunderstood.
In the months following the 9/11 attacks, a dark shadow was unfairly cast over his beloved faith. More than 300 hate crimes against Sikhs were reported. The latest in 2008, a mass shooting in Wisconsin at a Sikh temple called a Gurdwara. It was at the Houston Gurdwara where Dhaliwal decided to help shed light on Sikhism.
“I was sitting in the congregation like I was sitting today, hearing Sheriff Garcia. He was here to give community hope to look forward to bring the trust back,” said Dhaliwal.
He joined the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in 2009 as a detention officer. He didn’t wear a turban because it wasn’t allowed. In fact, the last time he wore the headpiece was when he was in India.
“I cut my hair before I came here. Thinking of a teenager, I want to get accepted.” In February the sheriff welcomed genuine articles of faith as a component of the department’s uniform. “Clearly it is a message saying we welcome each and every one of you with open arms,” said Bobby Singh, a devoted member of the Sikh congregation.
He invited us to the Gurdwara for a Sunday service. “We pray to one almighty and equality for all. The basic belief system is meditation, and two is making an honest living. Another key ingredient is that we share our earnings in a communal way more than anything else,” said Singh.
And the hair —it’s grown long for a reason.
“It is preservation of what God has given us. We clearly respect it. We honor it,” said Singh. “I am going to let my hair grow. I mean it will be an added chore. It’s ok, I am ready for it,” said Dhaliwal. His wife, Harwinder, is overjoyed her husband can finally represent their religion but there’s also fear. “I do have concerns when he is out with a turban, but I pray to God. I hope we educate people about them,” said his wife.
Dhaliwal’s partner on the force admits he too was worried. “The instant fear about the ignorance out here, some of the looks he might get or the threats we might get because of it,” said Deputy Luis Garcia with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
“The comments back then and concerns back then have been proven to be wrong so far,” said Dhaliwal. “Believe it or not I have not had any negative interaction so far. Tomorrow I don’t know.”
“He’s chasing bad guys, he’s stopping drug dealers, he’s stopping robbers, all that kind of stuff, ” said Garcia. “I just want to let him know that we have his back no matter what.” We know Deputy Dhaliwal has ours.
“I’m proud to be a Harris County deputy.”
