Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca, aware of Sikhs in law enforcement in Canada, approached Sikhs at a 9/11 vigil in L.A. He had come to listen to concerns of Sikh business owners and from there he initiated dialogue on recruiting Sikhs into the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

The Sikh Advisory Group is working with the Sheriff's Department to facilitate the recruitment of Sikh officers. They were invited to tour the Department and its programs, and they are now making arrangements to amend the uniform code to make exceptions for the Sikh roop (beard and turban) and the kirpan. Sikh Sheriffs will have a standard color turban with their uniform. The Sikh Advisory Group is also consulting with Sikh officers in the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) to help effectively set up the program with the L.A. County Sheriffs.

WANTED: Strong recruits from the Sikh community to take advantage of this opportunity by choosing to become a law enforcement officer. Looking for Sikh men and women who:
· have a strong sense of self and courage
· have uncut hair and beard
· are in good physical condition
· have no criminal record
· are U.S. Citizens
· are willing to live in Southern California
· are at least 19-1/2 years old

The agency's beginning salaries for a trainee are approximately:
$3,470 per month (high school graduate or equivalent)
$3,660 per month (A.A. Degree)
$3,863 per month (B.A. Degree)

Trained officers can earn approximately $5,727 per month with an excellent benefits package.

The Sikh Advisory Group will assist with relocation costs and provide guidance throughout the recruitment process.

For more information, please contact:
Guninder Kaur: gksingh@lasd.org, 562.465.7810; Jasdeep Singh: jasdeep@usa.net, 714.904.5271; Nirinjan Singh: nirinjan@nirinjan.com, 310.278.1130; Nitasha Kaur dailyhope@aol.com, 323.571.1228 or 213.236.2845