Leicestershire Sikh Police Association Launch
Enderby
Leicester

3rd November 2017

On Friday 3rd November 2017 the Leicestershire Sikh Police Association was formally launched at Leicestershire Police HQ to coincide with the birth anniversary of the first Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Jee.

The event was a complete success and was attended by staff from Leicestershire Police, external forces and members of the Sikh community in Leicestershire.

Historian Bobby Bansal delivered a very interesting account of the Sikh Empire, Sikh police officers in the 19th century from around the world and Sikh participation in the world wars.Sikh Chaplain Kartar Singh gave an inspirational speech on the ethos of Sikhi and how it links in with the ethical principles of policing. One of the first ever Sikh police officers in the UK, Ajmer Singh Matharu (now retired) who joined the Met in 1953 attended the event and took part in the Q/A panel which followed the keynote speeches.

The Sikh Museum Initiative special display on policing: Gurinder Singh Mann with Ajmer Singh Matharu

The SMI created a  special display and on the history of British policing which was well received together with their touch screen monitor of sikh relics from the Anglo Sikh Wars project.  Many of the Gurdwaras from Leicester participated in the launch together with Sikh police officers from the West Midlands.

The event was opened by Chief Constable Simon Cole and closed by the CC and Crime Commissioner Sir Will Bach.

The event was covered by the Sikh Channel and Leicester Mercury. Photos courtesy of Jag Singh.