In an attempt to accommodate Sikh officers, the New York Police Department announced Wednesday that officers who are granted religious accommodation from the Department's Equal Opportunity Office will be allowed to wear one-half inch beards. They may also wear blue turbans with a hat police shield attached, instead of the traditional police cap.
New York Times and the
New York Daily News report on the new policy which was announced by Police Commissioner James O’Neill standing with a group of Sikh officers in turbans after an NYPD Academy graduation ceremony.