Altercation near Birch Bay Square results in arrest

Bellingham Police officer Sukhdev Singh Dhaliwal, 31, was arrested on October 18 after allegedly beating and threatening two men on the 8200 block of Portal Way last week. His brother, Jagmeet Dhaliwal, 37, who was also allegedly involved in the altercation, surrendered to authorities on October 23 and both men were released on recognizance.

During Jagmeet’s first appearance in Whatcom Superior Court on October 23, prosecutor Haley Sebens stated that the altercation involved the Dhaliwal brothers and two other individuals. Sebens said Sukhdev and Jagmeet asked to meet the other two at the address and a physical altercation ensued.

Sukhdev was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault, felony harassment and fourth-degree assault. Jagmeet was arrested on suspicion of complicity to second degree assault, fourth degree assault and complicity to felony harassment.

In a joint statement released on October 23 the Bellingham Police Department and Bellingham mayor Kelli Linville wrote, “There are no previous allegations of misconduct related to his employment with the Bellingham Police Department. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office notified the department earlier this week that officer Dhaliwal was the subject of an active felony investigation. The department has placed officer Dhaliwal on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an administrative investigation of his alleged off-duty criminal misconduct as required by our collective bargaining agreement. While we understand the desire to have answers to questions, our practice has been not to comment on an open, on-going investigation.”

Both cases are slated to be transferred to Skagit County, The Bellingham Herald reports.