Posted on 08/13/2012 11:41:00 AM PDT by Jyotishi
New York - In the wake of the tragic Wisconsin gurdwara shooting, a senior New York City official has asked Mayor Michael Bloomberg to allow Sikh police officers to serve without forsaking their turbans and beards.
In a letter to the mayor, the city's chief financial officer, Comptroller John C. Liu commended Bloomberg for his words of comfort and support to the city's Sikh community. He said now was the time for the city to make a meaningful change of inclusion of Sikh members in the New York Police Department.
"Shouldn't the NYPD, providing security in one of the most diverse cities in the world, proudly display its own diversity?" Liu asked in his letter.
"We must eliminate all religious barriers to joining the NYPD. Religious men from all faiths, whether they are Sikhs or orthodox Jews, should be able to serve the people of New York City," he wrote.
United Sikhs and representatives of the New York Sikh community had a meeting with Liu to discuss issues faced by the Sikh community in the aftermath of the Aug 5 terror attack on the Wisconsin Sikh Gurdwara that killed six worshippers and wounded three.
"It's imperative for people to know that Sikhs are woven into the fabric of American society and are not the 'other'," said Jasminder Kaur, project manager of United Sikhs, who attended the meeting with Liu last week.
"One way to promote that is through increasing participation of Sikhs with turbans and beards in government jobs," she said. "We appreciate Comptroller Liu for taking the initiative to bring this up with the NYPD and assuring us of his continuous support".
“...time for the city to make a meaningful change of inclusion of Sikh members in the New York Police Department.”
BS. Dress like NYC Cops. No exceptions for anyone. Hasidic, Sikh, muzzie.. NO EXCEPTIONS, Nanny Bloom-Turd! That city is in the sewer, circling the 18” pipe.
Americans would know if you would comply with simple uniform regulations, and not request that standards be amended or dropped to satisfy your personal beliefs.
WTF, after all, uniforms are living and breathing spandex just like the US Constitution in Libtard Utopia
> and by the same token allow Gay NYPD to wear hot pants...
I suggest that a poll be taken if FEMALE cops should be allowed to wear hot pants throughout the country.
After every tragedy there is always some azzhole with a big idea that will solve all of the problems.
99% of the time it is BS.
This is one group I would not have issue with wearing their religious symbols. Sikhs are pretty hard core...
Importantly, while middle-class and very pro-business, Sikhs are also very pro-military, and serve honorably in every military in which they serve.
In India, the British established Sikh Regiment still exists, and is like the most decorated military unit in the world, having served in WWI and WWII, before becoming part of the Indian Army. And Sikhs were so good at being soldiers that for many years, the Indian officer corps was dominated by them.
While they do require the turban, beard, and ceremonial knife, they are not limited at all as far as turban color or uniform decor, and a distinctive uniform turban is a high honor, as it shows they are persons of character, by Sikh standards.
The US Army foolishly forced many to leave in the early 1980s, demanding that they cut off their beards, and most refused. Only recently has the beard requirement been waived again, and the first Sikh to go through military training was a hero for them.
If anything, admitting Sikhs to the NYPD with beard and turban would get them quality police officers.
I’m all for the turbans and beards as long as they let them carry long knives or swords, too. And use them!
> If anything, admitting Sikhs to the NYPD with beard and
> turban would get them quality police officers.
I agree. And then Muslim/Arab cops will want to wear their garb.
Ah, but there is a big difference. Sikhs have a uniform as part of their religion, but both Orthodox Jews and Muslims have considerable latitude in their clothing.
Saturday, June 09, 2012
“A top Manhattan politician slammed the NYPD’s decision to boot a Hasidic recruit from the Police Academy because he would not trim his beard. Fishel Litzman, who was just a month away from joining the force, refused to cut his scraggly fuzz because it would violate his religions beliefs — and was then drummed out of the NYPD.”
“The masks recruits wear during counterterrorism training don’t fit over the beard.”
“The NYPD has two dozen Orthodox Jewish officers on the force. The men, who are permitted to observe the Sabbath and wear yarmulkes under their police caps, are required to keep their beards trimmed.”
“The NYPD makes reasonable accommodations in this regard, permitting beards for religious purposes to be kept to 1 (millimeter) in length.”
“The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the supreme temporal body of the Sikhs, has declared that a believer can not be a true Sikh, though born in a Sikh family, if one trims hair and beard.
“Men or women with trimmed hair, moustaches and beard are neither Sikh nor Sehajdari Sikh (not baptised), though born in a Sikh family, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar told a press conference on Sunday.
“The declaration was an attempt to put to rest all the controversies regarding the definition of a Sikh.”
The British Constabulary has always had Sikhs with turbans that I know of since WWII - I knew of one living up in Newcastle in the 1950's. Very strict, he gave my Dad a ticket for not stopping at a Stop Sign. On his bicycle! My Dad was pissed!! :^)
Well, it means you have to allow all religious symbols.
You have to treat everyone equally, so once you allow one group to do it, it automatically permits the rest to do it.
It makes much more sense to have the police all look the same as far as the uniform and accessories.
Sadly yes that is too true, but there are some times Sikhs cops could come in handy...
We were always told, being in proper uniform was part of the paycheck.
Frankly, I don't know how the NYPD can allow this due to the fact that they do use tear gas, etc. from time to time, and these Sikh officers won't be able to protect themselves properly if they can't get a good seal on a gas mask.
The problem then arises, that if you relax the uniform requirements for one religious group, then you'll have to allow it for all the others.
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