Houston Police Department

September 30, 2005 -- A highly regarded Houston police officer will be among a select group of 50 officers from around the country to be recognized by the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) for his outstanding service to his community and police department during the past year.

HPD Officer Muzaffar Siddiqi, assigned to the HPD's Community Relations Unit of the Public Affairs Division, is one of those 32 officers nationwide who will receive Honorable Mention awards at the 12th Annual TOP COPS Awards at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C., TOMORROW (Saturday, October 1).

Officer Siddiqi was selected for this distinguished award for his direct involvement in solving a series of arson investigations that caused unrest between the Muslim and Hindu communities. In the same year, Officer Siddiqi also developed and implemented the Blue Bridge program aimed at school-aged Muslim and Jewish children to help educate and overcome cultural, religious and historical differences that have caused centuries of conflict. Officer Siddiqi, who serves as the HPD's official liaison with the Middle Eastern and South Asian communities, continues to play a pivotal role in investigations, spearheads disaster fund raiser efforts, and coordinates summits and volunteer groups for special events.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.