SHERIFF’S RESERVE ACADEMY TO GRADUATE FIRST
SIKH COMMUNITY MEMBER

In continuing with his efforts to strengthen the bridge between community and law enforcement, Sheriff Baca’s call for residents to join the Sheriff’s Department continues to be answered.

Most recently, the Sheriff’s Department Academy will be graduating Jagjit Singh, a member of our Sikh community, along with 39 other males as well as 12 female Reserve Deputies from the Sheriff’s Department. Ten males and one female, from seven independent police agencies, are also graduating. A graduation ceremony will be held on Monday, July 26, 2004, at 7:00 p.m., in the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ Hearing Room. All will have successfully completed various levels of rigorous requirements of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Reserve Training Academy.

Los Angeles County is one of the most diverse counties in the country, where all races and religions can be found. An electrical engineer by profession, Mr. Singh represents a large community of Sikhs worldwide, including the Sikh community in Los Angeles County who are very supportive and involved in their communities.

Mr. Singh will be joining one of the largest Reserve Programs in California. Reserve Deputy Sheriffs represent expertise and experience in a variety of professions helping to augment the many facets of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Like full-time Deputies, Reserve Deputies are professionally trained and duly sworn law enforcement personnel. They are required by law to meet the same hiring, background check, medical and psychological standards as full-time Deputies. Reserve Forces members bring courage to the job at hand, and provide valuable and much needed resources in assisting the efforts to respond appropriately to the needs and expectations of the community.

As part of Sheriff Baca’s plan to place more Deputy Sheriffs throughout our communities, the addition of Mr. Singh to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reinforces the commitment of the Department’s Core Values. As Sheriff Baca explained, “A law enforcement agency that is well versed in diversity can better serve its employees and the communities we patrol.”