Gardai consider allowing turbans, hijabs to attract staff.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2019/0404/10...a_recruitment/
Quote:
In order to encourage candidates from minority communities, An Garda Síochána says it is to consider alterations to the garda uniform to take into account religious and ethnic requirements.
These will be subject to operational, health and safety obligations, it says.
In future, it is to allow members of the Sikh community to wear turbans and Muslims to wear hijabs. It says it has identified these as a major barrier to some people becoming a garda.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the force needs to become more diverse to properly reflect the society it serves and it is focusing on people who might not have previously considered a career in the police.
I don't see a problem with this myself, as long as their religion doesn't play limiting role in their ability to do the job, but that's the same for any religion. Plenty of disagreement online though.
My first thought was that neither headwear would offer the same protection that the old domed hard hat would provide*, but I am not actually sure whether Irish police have ever worn those anyway.
*unless there are specially designed, reinforced ones for the police to wear.