TORONTO: A carpenter, a taxi driver and a fire investigator are among new Metro police recruits who have taken the oath.

But it was the guy wearing the turban who got all the attention yesterday.

Gorpal Singh Sidhu is the first baptized Sikh choosing to wear a turban as part of his police uniform. There are fewer than a dozen Sikhs on the force and they all wear regular police hats.

“I’m honored that they have accepted me,” said the 39yrold father of four. “I’ve always wanted to be a police officer and this is my Opportunity to serve the county of my adoption.”

Policy changes by the Metro force allowing Sikhs to wear turbans and carry ceremonial daggers (kirpans) prompted Sidhu to pursue his goal of a police career.

Born in India, Sidhu lived in England for 14 years before coming to Canada as a millwright 18 years ago. He lived in Toronto and Vancouver before making his home in Edmonton, where he runs a dry cleaning business.

Sidhu said he also considered a career with the RCMP before choosing Metro.

“I’m looking forward to my training and being the best police officer I can be,” he said.

The latest recruits, 38 per cent of them from visible minorities, reflect the force’s attempt to mirror the multicultural society it serves, Chief William McCormack said.

The group of 65 officers in training, 26 of them women, is also. One of the oldest ever recruited. The oldest is a 49yearold former constable returning to police work after a career as an investigator with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office.

“Welcome. We need you,” McCormack told the recruits before administering their oaths of secrecy and allegiance to the Queen during a ceremony at police headquarters.

“There’s a lot of hard work waiting for you out there and we need your help,” he said.

Although the force is actively recruiting visible minorities, their hiring was not done at the expense of white candidates, McCormack told reporters later.

“They are among the most qualified individuals we could find,” he said.

Kamlapati dead

Varanasi, Kamlapati Tripathi (86), an important leader of the Congress, died here Monday. His mortal remains were consigned at Manikarika ghat with full state honours.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 12, 1990