Washington police allows turbaned Sikhs to serve in dept

Lanier said the first Sikh-American police officers with turbans and beards were expected to join the force in August.

Sikhs are required by their faith to wear turban,sport beard and carry a ceremonial knife and these have often come in conflict with codes in Western nations where police and armymen are required to be clean shaven.

The US Army since 2010 have made exceptions for Sikh soldiers to serve with their articles of faith. Turbaned Sikhs are already serving in Canada and Britain.

Announcing the new uniform policy,the Washington police chief said,“Sikh Americans may protect the Nation’s Capital and may serve their community as full-time officers. This reflects the promise we made to have a police force that serves as a model for those around the world.”

“It is important that all those who live in,work in,and visit the District see our values and commitment to the community in our officers,” Lanier said.

“Nine years ago,Sikh Americans had to sue to become traffic enforcement officers. Today,the US capital is inviting all Sikh Americans to become full-time,full-fledged police officers,” said Jasjit Singh,executive director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF).

“Our articles of faith are signs of our commitment to equality and public service – the same values held by every law enforcement officer,the same values represented by the MPD uniform,” he said.

Welcoming the move,Sikh community leaders hoped that this would pave the way for other American cities to follow suit and eventually they could be recruited in large numbers in the US Army.

“We encourage Sikh Americans to pursue careers with MPD,the first major police department to allow Sikh Americans to serve and protect their neighbours as full-time officers while maintaining their religious identity,” Singh said.

Though the American capital has allowed Sikh police officers to wear turbans,the New York city,which has the large Sikh community still maintains a ban on turbans.

SGPC,Akal Takht hail move

Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has hailed the Washington Metropolitan Police Department’s move to allow serving Sikh officers to sport turbans,beard and other articles of faith.

“We express gratitude to the US authorities for allowing the Sikhs to serve in the police with their articles of faith,” SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said.

He added that France and others countries should also liberalise their norms for Sikhs to enable them to practice their faith. “It is good that a superpower like United States has taken such a pro-Sikh initiative,” SGPC chief added.

On Akal Takht’s behalf,Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh too appreciated the move. “Wherever Sikhs have gone,they have tirelessly worked for the progress of that country. I appreciate the move,” he said.