Launch of the British Sikh Police Association

Thu, Apr 23, 2009 11:02:16
Launch of the British Sikh Police Association


A national body for Sikh Police Officers and Police Staff is to be launched to meet the needs of Sikhs in the police service.

There have been a number of enquiries in the last decade about community policing and racism in the police service. There have been many other issues related to Sikhs and the police service. After the attacks in New York in 2001, Sikh communities around the world became the target of race hate campaign by the ignorant and the bigots.

There are many local and national issues which require tackling by the Sikh community. The Sikh community can and is doing as much as possible but they require a partner from within.

Since March 2008 a series of meetings have been held around the country. Police Officers and Police staff from Thames Valley Police, Metropolitan Police service, Leicestershire Constabulary, West Midlands Police and Kent Constabulary have participated in a series of discussions on the way to progress.

It was apparent to all that a national body of Police Officer and Police Staff was needed. The level of support and enthusiasm for such a venture encouraged the participants. Discussions progressed well and support increased. Other Sikh officer from forces with very small number of Sikh personnel also came into the fold.

Further work and discussions led to a constitution being adopted and the decision to launch the association nationally was taken.

Thames Valley Police management was approached and with their support and encouragement a date and venue was set.

The launch of the BRITISH SIKH POLICE ASSOCIATION (BSPA) will at Thames Valley Police HQ in Kidlington, OXFORD on 29th April 2009.

Everyone is welcome to the launch.

The aims and objectives of the BSPA are;

To establish a national forum for Sikh members of the British police services

To assist the British police services in developing strategies to recruit, retain and progress Sikh members of the service hence increasing Sikh representation in the police service at all levels

To provide a religious, cultural and social forum for members of the BSPA through celebration of dates and festivals on the Sikh calendar.

To promote an understanding of the Sikh Faith and the Sikh values of democracy, equality and justice within the police services

To provide support and advice to Sikh members of the police service.

To promote social cohesion and integration.

Contact: Kashmira Singh Mann 07811 433 026
Gian Singh Chahal 07980 705 539
Maninder Kaur Desoura 07931 308 832
Jaswant Singh Uppal 07896 291 055
Balwinder Singh 07980 683 422
Kooldip Singh Johal 07971 092 001

with thanks : http://www.emgonline.co.uk/news.php?news=4751