Muzaffar Siddiqi
Police Department

Officer Siddiqi’s gift of speaking several languages builds trust and understanding among Houston’s diverse ethnic groups.

Officer Siddiqi’s gift of speaking several languages builds trust and understanding among Houston’s diverse ethnic groups, which helps prevent crime and provides comfort to crime victims.

Officer Siddiqi created a Web site to improve communications between HPD and the Middle Eastern and South Asian communities. Visitors can find information about HPD, ask questions and get answers online. Also, as HPD’s liaison to these communities, he conducts crime prevention seminars for citizens and businesses.

Officer Siddiqi grew up in Pakistan and worked as a police officer in Karachi. Now, he is using the knowledge he gained about Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures to serve our citizens.

After Sept. 11, Officer Siddiqi, on his own initiative, became the multi-lingual diplomat and ambassador to a community filled with fear of terror and retaliation. He visited mosques and temples to calm citizens. The president of Taji Petroleum, who is Pakistani, said, “I have never felt so comfortable with the guardians of law in this city. Officer Siddiqi responds to emergencies, attends funerals, consoles bereaved families and bridges the communication gap with his command of several languages - with knowledge and sensitivity.”

Officer Siddiqi has earned the 2000 HPD Officer of the Year award, recognition from the U.S. Congress, and four commendations from the chief of police. He also earned the American Society of Industrial Security’s officer of the month award, the State of Texas Law Enforcement achievement award for public service, and was featured in a “Mayor’s Spotlight” article in the Extra Milers newsletter. He has assisted the FBI, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Harris County Sheriff’s Department