Baltej Singh Dhillon
Baltej Singh Dhillon, the first turbaned Sikh to join the RCMP in Canada, was born in Malaysia in 1966.
When he was 16 years old, his family shifted to British Colombia in Canada. In those days, Baltej noticed
a lot of racism even in the school. However, he completed his graduation and then studied criminology at
British Columbia’s Kwantian College. He had a desire to join RCMP and he was successful to be selected
for the same. RCMP is the abbreviated form of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is both a federal and
a national police force of Canada that provides law enforcement at a federal level in Canada, and also on a
contract basis to some other territories and provinces other than Ontario or Quebec. On his selection in the
RCMP, an objection was raised regarding his turban. The duty in the RCMP required a clean-shaven face
and wearing the uniform, including the issued headgear. As a Sikh, his religious obligation required a beard
and wearing a turban. He chose to fight for his religious rights. His case became so widely known that most
of the Canadians across the country got involved in the debate and political parties also stood up for and
against him. Those who were against Baltej argued that RCMP cannot change its code or policies for one
man. Further, they thought that turban wearing could bring harm to the officer, including lack of respect.
On the other hand the supporter including the Sikh leadership pointed out that turbaned Sikhs served in the
British Indian Army in two World Wars. After Several months of debate the federal Government took off
the ban and allowed the turbans on 15th March 1990—Solicitor General Pierre Cadieux announced in the
House of Commons that the policy was amended to permit Sikhs to wear the turban while on active duty in the RCMP. Following this Dhillon began police training in RCMP Academy, Depot Division, Regina as the
first turbaned cadet and graduated in 1991. Thus Baltej Singh changed the history and opened the way for
other Sikhs to join the RCMP with their articles of faith. He will always remain a role-model for the coming
generations.
