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Sikh police want ballistic turban Sikh police want ballistic turban
(about 1 hour later)
Sikh police want bulletproof turbans to be developed so they can serve as firearms officers and deal with public order, a newly-formed body says.Sikh police want bulletproof turbans to be developed so they can serve as firearms officers and deal with public order, a newly-formed body says.
The British Police Sikh Association says Sikh officers cannot currently do such jobs as their religion prohibits removing turbans to wear helmets. The British Sikh Police Association says Sikh officers cannot currently do such jobs, as their religion prohibits removing turbans to wear helmets.
But the body's vice-chairman told the Police Review he was pushing for more research on ballistic turban material. But the organisation's chairman says he now intends to push for more research on suitable ballistic turban material.
The Home Office said each force needed to ensure religions were accommodated.The Home Office said each force needed to ensure religions were accommodated.
The British Police Sikh Association, set up this month to give Sikh officers across the UK an "officially recognised voice", said it wanted its members to play a full role in the police. The British Sikh Police Association, set up this month to give Sikh officers across the UK an "officially recognised voice", said it wanted its members to play a full role in the police.
Synthetic fibre 'Frustration'
Insp Gian Singh Chahal, vice-chairman of the association, told the police service publication Police Review: "Sikh officers have been prohibited from becoming firearms officers because our religion does not allow us to remove the turban. Sgt Kashmira Singh Mann, chairman of the association, told the BBC News website bulletproof turbans would allow such officers to abide by religious traditions as well as participate in all areas of the police service.
"Nor can we wear the Nato helmet for public order policing." "We are looking at the issue because it stops Sikh officers serving in all roles," he said.
"It is a frustration for them - we see our colleagues putting their lives on the line and we want to serve alongside them."
He said research had already begun to find a ballistic material for turbans, but that it would need to be passed by the Home Office before it could be used.He said research had already begun to find a ballistic material for turbans, but that it would need to be passed by the Home Office before it could be used.
It is down to individual forces to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the religion of individual officers Home OfficeIt is down to individual forces to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the religion of individual officers Home Office
"We would like to follow any opportunity where we could manufacture a ballistic product - made out of a synthetic fibre - that would ensure a certain degree of protection, so Sikh police officers could take part in these roles," he added. "We have put some feelers out and talks are on the agenda," he added.
The new association aims to support Sikh members of the service - said to number some 2,000 - and help forces to develop strategies to recruit, retain and progress Sikh officers and staff.The new association aims to support Sikh members of the service - said to number some 2,000 - and help forces to develop strategies to recruit, retain and progress Sikh officers and staff.
The Metropolitan Police Service and West Midlands Police have the largest number of Sikh staff.The Metropolitan Police Service and West Midlands Police have the largest number of Sikh staff.
West Midlands Police last year denied spending £100,000 on trying to adapt safety helmets to fit over turbans.West Midlands Police last year denied spending £100,000 on trying to adapt safety helmets to fit over turbans.
However, it said it had been working to solve the headgear issue, which it described as "problematic".However, it said it had been working to solve the headgear issue, which it described as "problematic".
On the issue of bulletproof turbans, a Home Office spokeswoman said the government wanted a police service that "reflected the diverse communities it served".On the issue of bulletproof turbans, a Home Office spokeswoman said the government wanted a police service that "reflected the diverse communities it served".
"The more closely the police service reflects the people it serves, the more effectively it can protect and support that community," she said."The more closely the police service reflects the people it serves, the more effectively it can protect and support that community," she said.
"It is down to individual forces to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the religion of individual officers," she added."It is down to individual forces to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the religion of individual officers," she added.