Houston police get first Muslim assistant chief
A Pakistani-American commander, Yasar Bashir, has been appointed as Houston’s first Muslim assistant chief of police.
Bashir was appointed by Chief Troy Finner. He is assistant chief as head of the Family Violence Department.
Born near Lahore, he moved to the United States with his family in 1985, when he was only 8. He joined the police force in 2001. He also appeared in a National Geographic feature on Muslims in America in 2018.
“Houston is very different and has a truly diverse and open culture. It’s one of the best cities in the US. I received so much love and affection from my fellow officers that I will disagree with the suggestion” Bashir said when asked about discrimination in the force as a Muslim.
The department was also accomodating to its Muslim officers during Ramadan, giving break for iftar/dinner breaks and time to pray, he said.
The Houston Police Department has many South Asian and Muslim police officers. “There are more desi officers in HPD…Most of the desi officers are Pakistanis, followed by Indians” Bashir told a South Asian publication.