People
Turbanator: Aussie Constable Amitoj Singh
by KATE JONES
FIVE years after migrating to Australia, Sikh-Aussie Amitoj Singh never dreamed his name would be etched in Victoria's history books.
The 32-year-old is the first police recruit to wear an official police-issue turban.
Constable Amitoj Singh is among nine force members of the Sikh religion.
Until now, Sikh police members have applied to the force's Uniform Appearance and Advisory Committee for special permission to wear their own turbans.
In September last year, the committee agreed to design a Victoria Police turban bearing the official insignia.
Constable Amitoj Singh's wife, Ivneet Kaur, and 19-month-old son, Japneet Singh, watched proudly as he graduated at the Victoria Police's Glen Waverley academy. The former Coles Express manager said it was a moment of great honour.
"If you go back in Sikh history, the founders of the Sikh Religion have been standing up for the rights of communities all the time," he said.
"Back in India, the Sikh regiment is the most prestigious and significant part of the Indian army."Supt. Bob Hill said Constable Amitoj Singh would be deployed to the multicultural suburb of Endeavour Hills.
"I think it's particularly important that he's deployed to the areas where there's communities of diverse background," Supt. Hill said.
"People will have the trust and connection with members like Constable Amitoj Singh, who have the Sikh background."
[Courtesy: Herald Sun]
March 11, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), March 11, 2011, 6:08 PM.
Congratulation to Amitoj Singh ji for maintaining his Sikh faith with turban. This needs self determination and a lot of sacrifices by the family as well. I hope our youth will learn from your example of Sikhi.
2: Malwinder (Melbourne, Australia), March 11, 2011, 7:57 PM.
You rock, bro ... I am proud of you and thanks for representing yourself with a turban.
3: Dalwinder Singh (Perth, Australia), March 12, 2011, 1:49 AM.
Wow ... this is amazing news. Well done. Actually, I was waiting for this; I got the news a while ago that a Sikh was having training in the police academy. I had no idea who it was. More Sikhs will follow, I'm sure. Great news! Guru mehar karey!
4: Dilawar Singh Arora (Bombay, India), March 12, 2011, 3:50 AM.
It is a matter of pride for all, Sikhs as well non-Sikhs. Any person who follows his/her religion with faith and stays true to his/her religion, can never go wrong. They are assets of each society and examples for others.
5: Sumit Singh (Qatar), March 12, 2011, 5:08 AM.
Veer ji, aap ji di iss koshish sadka Guru de laadyaa(n) da sir hor uttey ho gaya hai ... aap ji de chardi kalaa lai-ye ardaas hai ji. Guru raakha!
6: Manpreet Singh (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), March 12, 2011, 11:17 PM.
Proud of you, brother. Wishing Chardi Kalaa for you and your family!
7: Thomas F. Le Min (Claymont, Delaware, USA), March 13, 2011, 6:39 AM.
Congratulations, Constable Singh! It is hard enough to earn a place in the police academy and to successfully graduate; however, in your case, you've been a true trail blazer for your fellow Sikhs and for people of all faiths, since you have demonstrated that anything is possible if you are truly dedicated to your mission. I wish you all the best for a long and rewarding career in service to your community and I pray that your family can draw strength from all the good work you are doing, even when it means that they will often stay up late worrying about how you are doing. It is a challenging career that you have chosen, but I have every faith that you will do yourself, your family, and your community very proud. Again, congratulations Constable Singh, and well done! ~ Lieutenant (Ret.) Thomas F. Le Min, Newark, Delaware, U.S.A.
8: Jaswant Singh (Norway), March 13, 2011, 3:09 PM.
Congratulation, brother Amitoj Singh ji, for your wonderful achievement. It is a very good example of a Sikh for our young generations around the world. Very well done! Again, congratulations to you as well as your family. God bless you!
9: Sewa Singh Sidhu (London, United Kingdom), March 13, 2011, 3:18 PM.
Heartiest congratulations. Wish you a happy and prosperous future.
10: Gurpreet Singh Mehak (Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab), March 14, 2011, 10:21 AM.
Do we know where Amitoj hails from in Punjab?
11: Pradeep Singh (Drammen, Norway), March 24, 2011, 8:58 AM.
Congratulations, Veerji Amitoj Singh, it's an honour that Australian Police have given Sikhs equal opportunity to be part of the police force. We are all proud of you. And we hope you prosper and succeed in all aspects and serve the police force and society to the utmost. Here in Norway, we are also hoping that in the near future, the Norwegian government and Police will allow Sikhs to wear their turban while serving the nation as Police Officers.