‘Proud moment’
Officer Gurvinder Singh, president of the Sikh Officers Association, told VOA the policy change grew out of a continuing conversation with the previous commissioner that had been finalized with O’Neill.
“This is a great and proud moment for the Sikh community … a very great moment,” he said.
Singh said Sikhs are not allowed to cut their hair, out of respect for God’s creation.
“You must leave this world the same way you came to the world,” he said.
Sikhism is the world’s fifth-largest religion with more than 25 million followers. Followers believe that fighting against injustice is a sacred duty.
O’Neill said officers who receive medical accommodation can also wear facial hair.
“We continue to have our medical exceptions, and if you have facial hair, you’re allowed to grow to 1 millimeter,” he said. The limit is a half-inch for those who cite religious reasons and receive approval of department officials, he said.
The department agreed to review its beard guidelines after a Muslim officer filed a federal class-action lawsuit in June. That case is pending.
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