Sikh personnel in NYPD will now be allowed to don turbans, sport facial hair
In a major win for the Sikh community, the New York Police Department has announced a groundbreaking change in their uniform policy that will now allow Sikh officers in the force to don their turbans while on duty.
"We want to make the NYPD as diverse as possible, and I think this is going to go a long way to help us with that," James O'Neill, NYPD Commissioner, was quoted to have said in an Independent report.
This move comes as a major relief for the 160 odd Sikh men who serve in the NYPD.
"This is a proud moment for Sikh community," the Sikh Officers Association tweeted.
Thank you @NYPDONeill for allowing Sikh Officers to wear a turban in the @NYPDnews. This is a proud moment for Sikh Community. pic.twitter.com/ArKkwVWj8G
— Sikh Officers Assoc. (@SikhOfficers) December 28, 2016
The traditional cap that is an integral part of the NYPD uniform will now be replaced by a navy blue turban bearing a badge, once the Sikh officer acquires written approval from senior officers. Sikh police personnel were previously required to wear a smaller wrap called 'patka' underneath the customary cap.
"It's a major change in our uniform policy, so we had to go about it carefully. And now I have the opportunity to make the change, and I thought it was about time that we did that", O'Neill added.
With regards to facial hair, while the mandated limit across the NYPD is one millimetre, Sikh personnel will be allowed to grow out their facial hair up to 1.27 cm, once prior permission from a superior has been acquired.
First published: 29 December 2016, 8:27 IST
![BJP's Kapil Mishra recreates Shankar Mahadevan’s ‘Breathless’ song to highlight Delhi pollution [WATCH]](http://images.catchnews.com/upload/2022/11/03/kapil-mishra_240884_300x172.png "BJP's Kapil Mishra recreates Shankar Mahadevan’s ‘Breathless’ song to highlight Delhi pollution [WATCH]")
![Anupam Kher shares pictures of his toned body on 67th birthday [MUST SEE]](http://images.catchnews.com/upload/2022/03/07/Anupam_kher_231145_300x172.jpg "Anupam Kher shares pictures of his toned body on 67th birthday [MUST SEE]")
