The New York Police Department is now allowing Sikh (seek) officers to wear turbans in place of the traditional police cap and grow beards up to a half-inch long for religious reasons.
Police Commissioner James O’Neill announced the new rules that affect all religious members on Wednesday following a graduation ceremony for new police recruits. Officers must first get approval and the turbans must be navy blue and have the NYPD insignia attached.
Male observant Sikhs often cover their heads with turbans — which are considered sacred — and refrain from shaving their beards.
Before, Sikh officers had to fit their turbans under their department issued cap. Beards were forbidden because they interfered with wearing gas masks.
O’Neil says there are about 160 Sikhs serving in the police department.
(AP)
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9 Responses
Does this new law include navy blue turbans for NY’s noshim tzidkoniyus or “religious reasons” only refers to Arabs?
Sikhs are neither Muslims nor Arabs
#1: Sikhs are not Arabs.
To No. 1
As usual, a childish and stupid response to a long-overdue accommodation to religious practice for ANY established religion that does not interfere with performance of police functions. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, not a bastion of “liberal” politics, about 1/3 of the law enforcement staff are Sikhs (long-story) and no one has ever complained about their performance. Federal law requires reasonable accommodations for yidden wearing yarmulkes, etc.
The turbans look much better than the hats. Very distinguished looking.
#2&3 You’re right and I know that but I was thinking of Arabs with turbans although there’s no mention about them in the article.
That’s only till Trump takes leash!
How about the jewish cops can wear schtrimlech. And grow beards. And peious. And put on a bekesha.
why can’t frum cops wear chazunasaha yarmulkes with police insignia on it with out the police hat? I remember seeing a frum cop wearing his yarmulke under his cap.