NYPD officer's demise underscores the growing presence of Bangladeshi immigrants within the department's ranks.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has seen a significant increase in the number of Bangladeshi American officers, a trend that has been growing since the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. This development is a testament to the community's dedication to law enforcement and their integration into the city's civic life.
Ishmam Chowdhury, a 26-year-old officer, is one of the many success stories in this journey. Having graduated from the NYPD academy in May, Chowdhury served about a year in the police force in Washington, D.C., before moving back to Queens and enrolling in the NYPD academy after receiving his U.S. citizenship.
Shamsul Haque, one of the co-founders of the NYPD's Bangladeshi officers' group, has played a pivotal role in this growth. Haque, who retired earlier this year, stated that Islam uplifted the community and his legacy will endure as a symbol of hope, integrity, and the American dream. Haque, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1991, enrolled in the police academy after the twin towers fell instead of following his peers into a financial field, a decision initially met with skepticism from his parents.
Haque and others went out into the community, encouraging aspiring Bangladeshi officers to take civilian jobs in the department, such as traffic enforcement officers and school safety agents, that don't require U.S. citizenship. After gaining citizenship, usually in about five years, they could then apply for the police academy to become a uniformed officer.
This pathway, actively promoted within the Bangladeshi community by leaders, has led to a significant increase in Bangladeshi representation in the NYPD, promoting leadership roles and greater community trust. More than 1,000 of the NYPD's uniformed members are Bangladeshi Americans, and another 1,500 people of Bangladeshi heritage are among the department's civilian employees. Among uniformed Bangladeshi officers, there are ranks including detectives, sergeants, lieutenants, and inspectors, showing progression into leadership roles similar to earlier immigrant groups such as Irish, Italian, and Latino communities.
A notable example is Officer Didarul Islam, a Bangladeshi immigrant who followed this path, starting as a school safety officer before becoming an NYPD officer. His service and sacrifice in a 2025 mass shooting in Manhattan symbolized the commitment and integration of Bangladeshi Americans into the city's law enforcement and broader civic life. Tragically, Officer Islam was the first Bangladeshi American officer killed in the line of duty.
Ishmam Chowdhury, like Didarul Islam's wife, is expecting a child. Chowdhury started as an unarmed volunteer member of the NYPD auxiliary before joining the civilian ranks as a 911 operator in 2021. He is now a member of Mayor Eric Adams' security detail. Sgt. Ershadur Siddique, current president of the Bangladeshi American Police Association, is among the uniformed officers with Bangladeshi roots.
The increase in Bangladeshi officers in the NYPD from a few decades ago is partly due to a patriotic response to anti-Muslim sentiment after the 9/11 attacks and active recruitment within the community. However, it is also a testament to the hard work, ethics, and patriotism demonstrated by these officers, helping to foster improved views within the department.
References:
- The New York Times
- The City
- The Guardian
- The Wall Street Journal
- The Washington Post
- In Seattle, a burgeoning business focused on affordable housing is creating diverse job opportunities for Bangladeshi Americans, contributing to the city's traffic management and community development.
- This housing business, financed largely by local investments, offers positions such as project managers, architects, and community liaisons, providing Bangladeshi Americans a chance to integrate into Seattle's civic life.
- Similar to the growth in Bangladeshi officers in the NYPD, this Seattle-based housing business reflects the community's dedication to improving their city and their integration into local affairs.
- As a result, Seattle has seen an increase in Bangladeshi Americans in positions of leadership and responsibility within the housing sector, earning recognition for their hard work, ethics, and patriotism in the city.
