Sergeant Baltej Singh Dhillon

Program Reviewer & Admin NCO
Pacific Region Criminal Investigation Section
RCMP  

Baltej Singh DhillonHaving lost his father at a very young age, Baltej Singh Dhillon had to shoulder responsibility along with his older brother for his entire family.  He thus made a decision to immigrate to Canada and arrived in this country in October 1983 to begin a better life for his family.   He helped his 3 siblings settle in Canada and supported them through every means possible.  Baltej’s first job was picking berries in the farms as a labourer for four years to support the family and pay for school.  He then began his journey in fulfilling his career goal – becoming a police officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  In 1988 he applied to the RCMP, this stirred the nation into an unprecedented controversy regarding the allowance of a turban and Mr. Dhillon ’s right to practise his faith against what was perceived by many the symbol of Canada the Stetson worn by the mountie.  He found himself fighting for his religious right to wear his turban and the opportunity to serve his country.


Over 275,000 people signed a petition against the allowance of a turban to preserve the tradition of the Stetson hat-wearing RCMP officer.  The opponents went as far as filing a petition defending their case in the Supreme Court of Canada.   Although he received much support and encouragement, he was also the subject of death threats - threats to take his life if he continued with the process.  Indeed, this became a national issue, drawing in commentary from politicians of all political stripes and debates in schools and coffee shops and heated commentary from the RCMP senior brass and rank and file.


Two years later, on May 11th 1991 Mr. Dhillon came out victorious in his struggle and today proudly wears his turban while working in the RCMP and serving and protecting Canadians. This was a proud achievement for not only his family but the entire community across the country.


Over the years Sgt. Dhillon has constantly worked to give back to his community.  His volunteer efforts include volunteering at youth camps as a counsellor and lecturer for over 10 years, serving the committee of big brothers of Quesnel, serving as a vice president and secretary at the Cariboo Sikh temple in the early nineties.   He has also served as committee member and then Co–chair on South Asian Advisory Committee and Consortiums in the Lower Mainland for United Way.

He has been a Motivational Speaker at various youth camps, Kwantlen College and schools throughout the Lower Mainland and to this day.  He is currently a member of guild of speakers with Passages to Canada, Director of 3HO Organization in Vancouver.  Sgt. Dhillon received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003 for Community service and service to the youth.


AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

  • Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Torchbearer.
  • Selected as one of 25 Immigrants in Canada People’s Choice Awards for Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants.( 2009)
  • Selected as one of the 100 most influential Indo Canadians in British Columbia by Vancouver Sun ( 2008)
  • Selected as one of the 100  in The BC Almanac Book of Greatest British Columbians ( 2005)
  • Queens Golden Jubilee Award for Community service (2003)
  • Certificate of Appreciation from the families of the victims of the Air India Disaster (1998)
  • Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Quesnel for excellence in service. (1995)
  • Benno Friesen Award for excellence in education (1985)