IMPD (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department) Chief Randall Taylor and several leaders of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, that included three Sikh IMPD officers, visited the Gurdwara Sikh Satsang on Sunday, June 27, 2021. They were warmly welcomed by the Sikh leaders and members of the congregation. The honored guests observed all the traditional protocol and had Langar (community lunch) in the Langar Hall with the members of the congregation.
The meeting came in the wake of the recent FedEx shooting tragedy in which eight innocent Hoosiers were killed, including four members of the Indianapolis Sikh community. There are still so many unresolved questions and the Hoosier Sikhs continue to agonize for the loss of innocent lives and the devastating shock and uncertainty to the victim families.
Chief Taylor addressed the Sikh congregation and assured them of the Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s commitment to further strengthen Police-Community Relations and additional safety measures to keep all Indianapolis citizens safe. The Chief and the Commanders that accompanied him also opened up the possibility of welcoming additional Sikh Police Officers, and especially Sikh women to serve IMPD as Officers. Maninder Singh Walia, Chairman Sikh Satsang Board of Trustees, brought up the subject of the Sikh Officers serving with their sacred articles of faith. The Police Chief was respectful and open to that consideration.
Chief Randall Taylor was accompanied by IMPD Officers: Amritpal Singh, Lovepreet Singh, Kamal Bola; IMPD Officers: Randy Diaz and Aaron Hamer; Deputy Chief Craig McCartt; Commanders Ronald Hicks and Ida Williams; Captain John Walton; and IMPD Chaplain Imam Ahmed. Several family members of IMPD Officers Amritpal and Lovepreet joined the visit to the Sikh Gurdwara.
KP Singh, a longtime resident of Indianapolis and a former member of the Indianapolis Civilian Police Merit Board offered a few highlights that form the core of Sikh faith and traditions. KP introduced the Chief as an experienced public servant of great modesty, dedication and integrity who has been serving Indianapolis as a Police Officer for many decades. The Officers in the room collectively represented over more than a century of law-enforcement service and experience.
KP further reminded those gathered that safety is a major concern and a basic and fundamental issue for all citizens at their places of work and worship and in neighborhoods and schools. Life, culture, and the dignity of every person matter. KP added that as Hoosier Sikhs, we believe that the life, safety, and well-being of each Officer and every Hoosier American, matters to us, for “… everyone carries the same Divine Light” and “… no one is my enemy or a stranger”- SGGS. You may call us when we can assist. We see the Police-Community Relations as a meaningful bridge of communication and addressing relevant matters that concern our City and State.
We were greatly impressed by the visit of the IMPD Chief and some of his inner circle. We felt that such on-site visits are an invaluable way and investment to know the communities that they serve. It was equally important for us to understand that IMPD, recognized as one of the finest Police Departments in the Nation, needs our prayer and support to succeed in their oath to maintain law and order and keep us safe.
We thank Mayor Joe Hogsett, IMPD Officers and Chief for their commitment to take our safety-related concerns to the next level with ongoing communication and exploring constructive ways to stay engaged and vigilant. Individual safety and public safety are too important a matter to leave the entire burden of caring and protection of a large Metropolitan area of over two millions on the shoulders of under 1700 Police Officers. We all have a stake in this critical and urgent challenge. We promise to assist!
My special thanks to Gurdwara Sikh Satsang Management Committee; Maninder Singh Walia - Chairman Sikh Satsang Board of Trustees; and Chirjeev Kaur Oberoi - Trustee Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis for their leadership and the visit of IMPD Chief Randall Taylor and other Police Officers.
