Sikh Family Claims Harassment by Sheriff’s Deputies
Last updated: December 12, 2008

HOUSTON: It was Wednesday night November 26th 2008, a day before Thanksgiving when Kawaljeet Kaur, with her brother Ramandeep Singh called the police to report a burglary that took place at their house only to be harassed by the very police they called in.

”The misbehavior by Harris County police officers towards our family hours before our own home was burglarized is appalling. The officers’ behavior sent a loud message to Sikhs and Muslims that we are second class citizens.” says Kawaljeet Kaur and her brother, Ramandeep Singh.

The family returned home to the 10800 block of Pak Bayou Lane on the night of November 26 to find a broken window and the master bedroom ransacked. Ramandeep Singh called 911 to report the crime and subsequently the Harris County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to investigate.Singh wentto the driveway to greet the deputies as their car pulled up. Singh was asked to produce his ID, after which the family showed the deputies the broken window. However, the deputy could not seem to to focus on the break-in, Singh said.

“The officers from the beginniing did not ask us what was going on or if we were alright” recalls Singh. He adds, “ Instead of pursuing the thieves, the police officers began grilling us. It just looked like they did not want to be there. I sensed a little uneasiness fron a officer, said Singh. The deputy then noticed his sister’s kirpan, a small ceremonial knife she wears shearhed on her hip

The officer ordered Kawaljeet Kaur to hand over her kirpan. The deputy “freaked out”, Singh said.” Before you know it, the deputy had a taser pointed at her forehead, he is calling for backup, he is raising his voice. I told him, you know, I am a law-abiding citizen”. Kaur said.” Treat me with respect”.

“She then offered to leave the room if her kirpan made the officer uncomfortable, but to no avail. After a moment, my sister, along with me, including my 60- year old mother and cousin, were handcuffed and led to the street.” said Singh. Officers verbally abused us as they searched. One officer asked us whether we had “heard about the bombings in Bombay” while another told them that he “knew about Muslims”. Why were these comments made by the deputies?? questions the family. Although a while later, more than a dozen deputies were present in the scene, none of them made any effort to investigate the burglary, said the family. Hours later, the family was released without being arrested or charged.

“ Imagine the kind of resources that they are putting into this kind of thing instead of investigating the actual crime”, said Singh.” Imean I was just in shock. I did not think something like this could happen in Houston” . Singh said his family moved to from India to Houston more than 20 years ago and condier themselves proud citizens.

“It was a terrifying experience. When a hatecrime is committed at your own home, you feel so helpless and so vulnerable as to who do you call for help. I will probably think a hundred times before calling 911 ever again” says Kanwaljeet Kaur.

“What happened at the Tagore home was shameful,” said Amardeep Singh, Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition. “Through a combination of violence, racial prejudice and intimidation, the Harris County police turned innocent victims into perpetrators.”

According to the New York based Sikh Coalition, since 9/11, misperceptions about Sikhs’ religiously manadated turbans and beards have lead to an increase in discrimination against Sikhs. The family reported the incident to the Coalition, which called for the sheriff’s office to fire the four deputies involved and issue a formal apology to the family.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the allegations. The Sheriff’s spokesperson, Lieutenant John Legg emphasized that the insenstitive and discriminatory conduct alleged to have occured on this occasion would be inconsistent with the policies of the Sheriff’s office and depending to what extent the office policies have been violated, appropriate action will be taken. Legg also,said that the office looks forward to disclosing the investigative conlusion once it is complete.

It has also been reported that the Harris County Sheriff-Elect Adrian Garcia will be visiting the Sikh Center of Houston on Sunday, December 14, 2008 to address questions from the Tagore family and other sangat members will be regarding this incidence.