The New York State Police have been accused of forbidding one of their employees, a Sikh, from growing a beard, despite a state law mandating employers to enable employees to follow religious grooming duties.
According to the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, Charanjot Tiwana, a State Trooper, wished to grow his beard half an inch for his wedding but was prohibited due to safety concerns over the wearing of a gas mask.
As part of their religious devotion, Sikh males are supposed to wear a turban and not trim their hair or beard, a practice that contradicts state police grooming guidelines that require short hair and a shaved appearance.
According to the union’s president, Charlie Murphy, Mr. Tiwana, a state trooper for six years, had not formally requested permission to wear a turban while on duty due to his refusal to grow a beard.
“All New Yorkers, including law enforcement officers, must be free from employer oppression when practicing their religion”, he declared.
Although the cops confirmed Mr. Tiwana’s request, an NYSP representative declined to comment on the specifics.
Police spokesman Deanna Cohen stated that the department encourages diversity and inclusion within its ranks and uses the procedure of reasonable accommodations. According to her, the NYSP is also developing a turban policy.
In recent years, law enforcement agencies in the United States have relaxed grooming restrictions put in place in the early twentieth century, mainly to give police a military appearance, or faced legal action.
A federal court ruled in 2022 that the Marine Corps could not refuse admittance to Sikh recruits with beards and turbans.
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