US video aims to sensitise people towards Sikhs

WASHINGTON: In the wake of untoward incidents against Sikhs in parts of the US, the US Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service has launched an initiative to sensitise the public.

The department has put on its site a 17-minute video, On Common Ground: Sikh American Cultural Competency Training for Law Enforcement, which informs police and security officers how to approach Sikhs respectfully while still being effective, sikhnn.com reported on Friday.

David Baker, US’ crime prevention specialist said: “I want everyone to see it. The Public Service Training Academy, which trains all officers in the various police agencies in the county, should use it.”

On Common Ground was created by the Department of Justice and the Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (Saldef), a Washington DC-based advocacy group. According to Saldef national director Rajbir Singh, law enforcement and Sikh community representatives in other countries have also asked for the video.