Bearded Sikhs can join police in US

Hindustan Times ^ | April 27 | S. Rajagopalan

[Shermy]

American sikhs may be on the verge of winning a major battle. The community is agog with anticipation, following Washington DC police chief Charles Ramsey's ‘invitation’ to Sikhs to apply for posts in his force.

So far, police jobs in the US have been out of bounds for Sikhs unwilling to compromise on their turban and beard. Only last month, the New York Police Department fired a Sikh trainee, who would not doff his turban or cut his hair.

Sikh activists who have been interacting with Washington's leading lights ever since the post-September 11 hate crimes now claim to have achieved a breakthrough with Ramsey's offer.

But there has been no official word yet from the Metropolitan Police Department.

The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task force (SMART), however, spoke of Ramsey’s announcement on a Sikh TV channel and thanked him for his endeavour to have an ‘inclusive and diverse police force’ in the national capital.

“It is not as if there is going to be some reservation for the Sikhs in the DC police set-up. But Sikhs will be free to compete like anyone else without having to compromise with their religious identity," SMART executive director Manjit Singh said.

Sikhs believe that Ramsey's invitation is ‘a victory for Sikh Americans’. And this will be cited as a precedent elsewhere in the US.

The US armed forces have few Sikh officers, but they were recruited before 1981 when the new uniform code began to be enforced.

[Shermy]

I wouldn't f with these warriors.

[EggsAckley]

Why is this reminding me of that cheesy TV series about the Aliens who incorporated into our society?
The Aliens with all the "freckles" and bald heads. Can't think of the name of the show.

[EggsAckley]

Why is this reminding me of that cheesy TV series about the Aliens who incorporated into our society?
The Aliens with all the "freckles" and bald heads. Can't think of the name of the show.

[EggsAckley]

Oops.......sorry about the double post...twitchy finger.

[swarthyguy]

Ha -- i did not want to touch this issue for a variety of reasons but do you think the recent rally in DC had anything to do with this discussion. After all, the British used the Sikhs in Afghanistan and India against Muslim rulers and rebellions.

[Zorobabel]

It was called "Alien Nation," which is what the US is fast becoming.

[DSHambone]

They are extremely good warriors and very loyal, but don't shoot up their Golden Temple or they'll kill you. PM I.Ghandi found out the hard way.

[buccaneer81]

"Alien Nation"

[buccaneer81]

The Canadians went through this fifteen years ago. Their Supreme Court ruled that the Sihks could become RCMP constables and wear their turbans and "ceremonial" knives.

[Frances_Marion]

Cool....when are they going to hire some Ghurkas too?

[spectre]

Care to show where there are "Sikhs Officers" recruited before 1981 that are allowed to wear their beards, etc?

Can't.

Because the author is full of crap.

[DSHambone]

Try this link:

LINK

I remember reading this case in the Army Times back in the 80s - don't have all the details but I remember drafted Sikhs were allowed to were the turban - in the volunteer Army that dispensation was ended.

[ccmay]

Why can't they just specify a Sikh-style turban as an alternate uniform cover, and let anyone who wants to wear one do so? Make it a discreet black, khaki or olive drab, depending on the rest of the uniform. For dress, black with gold piping. Surely it would be no more deplorable than giving every rear-echelon file clerk a black Ranger beret?

Same for the beard. If the venerable Royal Navy can tolerate a well trimmed beard, why not any military force?

I would love to see a battalion of Sikhs raised from the Punjab, where they have suffered at the hands of the Muslims for centuries, and given all the training and toys that the US Army can provide-- then turned loose to play in Afghanistan. Maybe they could walk right into a camp of Tali-bums -- then strip off their cloaks to reveal the BDU's beneath, right before they kill them all to the last man. Hah! And I like the idea of raising a regiment of Gurkhas too, now THAT would put fear into the hearts of any enemy..

-ccm

[NYCVirago]

Did you know that all Sikhs choose the last name of Singh? Mighty confusing!

[LarryLied]

Sikhs in New Mexico got into the private security guard business in a big way. Very successful operations they opened up. Nothing like a 6'3" Sikh with a turban and dagger to keep losers from loitering in front of a Quickie Mart. The low life learned also that if they messed with one Sikh, all Sikhs would be after them.

[petuniasevan]

Ever been to Yuba City, California? That area has about 10,000 Sikhs.

Poorman once got to talking to a Sikh, and isn't afraid to ask questions. He wanted to know why they wear the turbans. The Sikh said, "You know how we always wear them? We tell people, 'That's a religious symbol', so we can wear them everywhere. But they really are just customary: We protect our hair that way. Sikh men never cut their hair so they keep it under a turban."

[LarryLied]

Never cut their hair? No wonder they do so well. That saves a lot of money. I met them in Santa Fe, N.M. The head Sikh would come to the Flea Market there with his entourage. Striking female bodyguards. That market is very upscale and the Sikhs were after the top of the line jewelry. Gold,good stones and pearls. I didn't have anything to sell them but they were very polite and checked everything out careful in case I missed having something good.

[ccmay]

That market is very upscale and the Sikhs were after the top of the line jewelry. Gold,good stones and pearls. I didn't have anything to sell them but they were very polite and checked everything out careful in case I missed having something good.

You admitting you sell junk, eh? (joke!)

-ccm

[LarryLied]

There is money in junk :-)

Freedom too. The Santa Fe swap meet drew dealers and good buyers from all over because of the location and the fact it was on Indian land. No sales tax makes a big difference on high end stuff. One guy there was selling one item: a bed he carved. Made and sold 5 or 6 of them a year. The cost of one? $8,500.

The Sikhs know quality. They were picking through the merchandise finding value the dealers didn't know they had