Police Officer Honored by London Sikh Community

April 19, 2006

Source: Stortford Citizen

http://www.bishopsstortfordcitizen.co.uk/sport/generalsport/display.var.731798.0.top_cop_honoured_at_sikh_gurdwara.php

On April 19, 2006 the Stortford Citizen reported, "The Sikh community welcomed Waltham Forest's top policeman in a special ceremony before the annual Vaisakhi festival. Borough Commander Mark Benbow visited the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat in Francis Road, Leyton, to be given the Sikhs' highest gift of honour, the Kirpaan. This is a sword symbolising authority and justice, to safeguard the owner in self-defence and protect others against injustice. Cllr Narinder Matharoo, a member of the gurdwara, explained the importance of community in the Sikh religion, and how being a good citizen was a way for the Sikh to be closer to God... The women welcomed Mr Benbow, who became borough commander in January, and the leader of the Waltham Forest Safer Neighbourhood teams, Ch Insp Ian Lander, on Wednesday, re-establishing the links between Waltham Forest police and the Sikh community who have been at the Leyton gurdwara for over 30 years."