The death of New York City police officer Didarul Islam, the first Bangladeshi American member of the NYPD killed in the line of duty, has cast a spotlight on the growing presence of Bangladeshi immigrants in the department’s ranks.
Islam, one of four people killed in the July 28 shooting at a Manhattan office tower housing the NFL’s headquarters, was remembered last week at a funeral service outside a Bronx mosque. Officers in navy blue uniforms unfurled a banner with his photograph alongside the emblem of the Bangladeshi American Police Association. Among the mourners were officers wearing traditional South Asian attire, their badges displayed around their necks.
According to the association, more than 1,000 of the NYPD’s approximately 33,000 uniformed officers are Bangladeshi Americans, along with another 1,500 civilian employees of Bangladeshi heritage. This marks a dramatic increase from just a handful of officers a few decades ago — growth attributed to post-9/11 patriotism, targeted recruitment and word-of-mouth within the community.
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“He uplifted our community in a way that was unimaginable before,” said Shamsul Haque, a co-founder of the Bangladeshi officers’ group. “His legacy will endure not only as a hero who gave his life protecting others, but also as a symbol of hope, integrity and the American dream.”
Haque, who joined the force in 2004, recalled that many early recruits sought to challenge stereotypes about Muslims in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Over time, he said, perceptions among colleagues have improved, and Bangladeshi officers have risen through the ranks. Today, the NYPD counts 10 detectives, 82 sergeants, 20 lieutenants and four inspectors of Bangladeshi heritage.
Many have followed a pathway starting with civilian roles such as school safety officers and traffic agents, which do not require U.S. citizenship. Islam himself began as a school safety officer after immigrating about 16 years ago.
For newer recruits, Islam’s death has been sobering. “It made us think, what if it happens to me today? It can,” said Officer Ishmam Chowdhury, 26, who joined the NYPD in May. He moved from Bangladesh in 2019, driven by a desire to serve after experiencing armed robberies as a teenager.
“That’s what makes this city, this country, great,” Chowdhury said. “It doesn’t matter where somebody comes from — if somebody works hard and truly wants to do something, they can do it.”