Newsman: America, the Dreamland – ‘of liberty and justice for all.’ The less fortunate regardless of race and religion, wealthy or poor, and the People from around the globe; everyone gets their fair share in United States of American. New ‘American History’ being written everyday one way or other. Immigrants are betting life to reach America just for the dignity of life- enjoy freedom, economic emancipation through hard work, ensuring better future for children. All are contributing to the society-building ‘America’ through their hard work with dignity and respect. None but the one and only America yet is the country people embrace- the ‘land of the free and the home of the brave.’ Communities being built, the rainbow of hope shines in society.
Small but the brave Bangladeshi community is growing as well and much faster here in US than expected. Their nameplate has been earned in every field of the society. Science & technology, Business or Politics- they have footsteps everywhere. Even in the White House key position. But the story of a young boy form a small village in Bangladesh seems more dazzling than thoughts. And indeed he is in the team of the New York’s finest.
A new ‘American story’ has been written by the young boy then name Shamsul Haque. He joined to the most prestigious New York City Police department from 17 years from now, and became the first South Asian American in his position today. It is not his personal story but the story of America, the land of Hope. A young boy from a rural village in Bangladesh came to America with the similar dream that every one holds in breath with wonder. He not only has fulfilled his dream, even his success the dream getting bigger through his extra ordinary achievements as it seems more obvious with his devotion, dedication and hard work. The boy then name Shamsul Haque now writes a new history in the city of New York’s Police department– World’s best of its kind, America’s pride and New York’s finest.
Officer Shamsul Haque and then Lieutenant Shamsul Haque has become now the first South Asian to be Lieutenant Commander Detective Squad in the NYPD. It indeed has marked the historical significance for the dreamful immigrant communities especially to the expatriate Bangladeshi community here in US. Lieutenant Shamsul Haque got promoted to the higher position as the Detective Squad’s Lieutenant Commander in the NYPD. The promotional ceremony took place on Friday, January 29, 2021 in NYPD’s Police Academy in Queens, New York.
Lieutenant Haque said “although I may be the 1st one, I hope to see a lot more of Bangladeshi Americans to rise up the rank within law enforcement.” Lieutenant Shamsul Haque makes history by being the 1st Lieutenant Commander Detective Squad of South Asian heritage.
Lieutenant Haque joined the NYPD in January 2004 when only a handful of Bangladeshis were employed as police officers in America. After working on the Upper East Side as a police officer, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2010 and was assigned to a precinct in the South Bronx. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2014 and joined the NYPD’s elite Internal Affairs Force Investigation Group where he has been working since then.
His remarkable journey began when he dropped out of middle school in Bangladesh and moved to the United States in 1991. Upon arrival, he worked several odd jobs including being a bus-boy, deli man and manager. Seeing no prosperous future- determined to change his life- he studied on his own and received High School Equivalency Diploma in 1997. Subsequently, he received AAS from LaGuardia College and BBA from Baruch College.
While studying at Baruch College, he served as the Chairperson of University Student and City University of New York Trustee. In these capacities, he vehemently fought against City University of New York tuition hikes on behalf of more than 300,000 students.
Then, Lieutenant Haque continued to pursue higher education. He graduated from Columbia University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, with a Master in Public Administration.
When terrorists attacked New York City on September 11, 2001, Lieutenant Haque felt it was an attack on humanity. He said, “I am a proud Muslim and Bangladeshi American. There are more than a billion peace loving Muslims in the world. A few terrorists, who claimed to be Muslims, can’t represent the entire Muslim populations in the world.” Lieutenant Haque wanted to change the perception and he joined the police department.
Mr Hague, as he continued to work in the NYPD, he realized the need for Bangladeshi Americans to join law enforcement in greater numbers. He called upon several other Bangladeshi American officers and co-founded a fraternal organization named Bangladeshi American Police Association (NYPD BAPA), where he eventually served as the president. The organization has helped recruit hundreds of Bangladeshis to the NYPD. Currently, there are about 400 police officers, detectives, sergeants, 3 lieutenants and 3 captains. In addition, there are more than 1000 traffic agents employed by the NYPD.
Upon learning the news of his promotion, Captain Karam Chowdhury, the current president of BAPA, congratulated Lieutenant Haque. He said, “It is a testament that hard work and dedication pays dividends.” Lieutenant Haque is not the only member of his family to serve in the NYPD. His younger brother, Badrul Haque, is a police officer in the Anti-Terrorism Task Force within the NYPD’s transit system.
Lieutenant Haque was born in a small village in Bagha, Golapganj, Sylhet. His father’s is (late) Abdul Musabbir and mother (late) Nurun Nessa. Two of his brothers (Abdul Haque and Nazrul Haque were senior teachers in Abdul Ahad High School and Narafig High Schools respectively. Lieutenant Haque lives with his wife, Rubina Haque, and two boys in Queens, New York. All of his brothers and sisters reside in New York State.
Currently, Three Bangladeshi Americans are serving as Captain in the New York finest. Captain Khandaker Abdullah, Captain Parul Ahmed and Captain Karam Chowdhury proudly serving the New York City Police department along with around 500 Bangladeshi American New York city Police officer and near about 2000 traffic agent, school safety agent and other civilian members of the department.
