Pakistani Officer Named Houston’s First Muslim Assistant Chief

May 14, 2021

A Pakistan-born officer has been chosen as the Houston Police Department’s first Muslim assistant chief after 20 years with the department.

About the delegation: Yasar Bashir says he hopes to “reduce violent crime” and is now one of the country’s first Muslim assistant chiefs, ABC13 reported.

Previously a commander, Bashir was promoted by HPD’s newly-appointed chief Tony Finner.
He commended Finner for creating a community that “truly reflects the fellowship” they serve, calling the appointment of his staff “progressive.”

Bashir’s background: Bashir has been working since the early 2000s, starting off as a bait officer catching criminals who targeted the Asian community.

Bashir moved to the country with his parents in 1985 when he was 8. He said he took his studies seriously because he didn’t speak English when he arrived. Now, he speaks four languages.
In college, he switched from a finance major after three years to a criminal justice degree. Bashir received his master’s in criminology after someone recommended he apply to be a police officer.
He recalls that on the first day of his police academy training, he knew it was his passion and said the job was “fun” and “so exciting.”
Bashir wants the southwest Houston community to come together and shares that “there’s no place for hate” nor “discrimination,” according to an interview with the Houston Chronicle.

Featured Image via CW39

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