During the Hong Kong Police College’s passing-out parade, one South Asian officer stood out in his distinctive uniform. This was Singh Palvinderjit, the first Sikh officer to graduate wearing a turban as part of the police uniform in recent years.
Today’s passing-out parade (July 12) saw a newly graduated cohort of 43 probationary officers and 219 police constables.
Among them, Singh was the only Sikh constable with a beard and turban, also wearing a Kara on his wrist, a steel bangle symbolic of his faith. Singh represents the fourth generation of turban-wearing law enforcement officers in his family.
A Source of Inspiration for Ethnic Minority Youths
During a press conference, Singh said he originally had no clue about what career path he wanted to pursue, recalling a year of confusion where he freelanced and dabbled in various jobs.
He emphasized hope that other ethnic minority (EM) youths who can relate to this struggle will broaden their horizons after seeing someone like him as a police constable.
“I hope after seeing people like my father and I in law enforcement, more non-Chinese youths will consider joining the force as a possible career choice,” said Singh. He also mentioned personally receiving a lot of inquiries about recruitment from EM youths that expressed interest in the field.
Language as an Integral Strength of Singh’s
As an EM, Singh believes his background and diverse language skills will be essential for assisting in cases involving other people in the EM community that would usually require interpreters.
“Especially when facing EM elderly people who know neither Chinese or English, only their native language, I believe my translation skills will be particularly helpful,” said Singh.
A Uniform and Turban Tied to Years of History
Singh also reaffirmed that his uniform does not make him any different from other police constables aside from certain visual characteristics like his turban and religious tokens.
This inclusive form of uniform was approved by the Police Department last year, allowing baptized Sikhs to wear a specially designed turban adorned with the police force emblem, grow their beard out, and wear religious tokens as long as it does not affect the force’s image and hinder the officer’s workflow or efficiency. Historically, the Hong Kong police force has seen a number of turbaned Sikh officers since as early as the 20th century.
Singh’s father, Singh Davinder-pal, has been serving the community as a Correctional Services Department (CSD) officer for the last three decades. When asked about why Singh chose to not take the same pathway as his father, he responded that he wanted to continue onwards the legacy of his great grandfather, who was in charge of recruiting the first batch of Sikh police constables.
Other Exceptional Graduates Joining the Force
Singh was not the only exceptional officer graduating, however, as there were three other award-winning graduates alongside him.
Vincent Chung Wai-keung, a probationary inspector, was awarded the Baton of Honor for his consistent hard work and diligence in the past 15 years of his service.
Another probationary inspector, Zoe So Lok-yee, was awarded the Commissioner’s Certificate of Academic Merit. So is a psychiatric nurse turned constable, who switched pathways due to her constant desire for new challenges.
A recruit police constable, Marcella Wei Ching-yiu, received the Shave Cup, the Silver Whistle, and the Commissioner's Certificate of Academic Merit. She has a master’s degree in criminal justice and criminology from the UK’s University of Durham. The Shave Cup is presented to the best all-round police constable of all passing-out constables.
(Khan Heeba Lazmi)
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