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Police force blows £100,000 on failed search to find a helmet to cover Sikh officer's turban
Last updated at 11:58am on 16.06.08
The police respirator suit used by the counter-terrorist Operational Support Unit
A police force spent £100,000 on a failed attempt to find protective headgear that fits over Sikh officers' turbans.
West Midlands Police started its search after one Sikh constable decided he wanted to join the counter-terrorist Operational Support Unit.
The man, thought to be in his mid-20s, was refused a place because he was unable to fit the necessary helmet and respirator over his turban and beard, both of which are requirements for strict adherents to his faith.
According to a police source, the unnamed constable claimed he was being discriminated against and was then assigned the task - while on full pay - of sourcing new equipment that would fit.
A helmet and respirator would be needed for certain counter terrorist operations to guard against possible chemical and biological weapons.
The officer contacted manufacturers across the world to see if they could adapt their gear but after 18 months his search ended in vain and he was restored to regular duties.
A few weeks later he is said to have gone on long-term sick leave suffering from stress.
The source, who estimated the total cost of the failed project, including the officer's wages, at £100,000, said: 'This was a shocking waste of taxpayers' cash.'
West Midlands Police today defended the decision to spend the reported £100,000, calling the figure a "gross exaggeration".
A spokeswoman said: "West Midlands Police is a diverse organisation, which both serves and recruits from a diverse community.
"No Sikh officer has applied and been turned down from joining the Operational Support Unit because of faith issues.
"However, it has been identified that for some members of the Sikh faith, the removal of the turban to wear a helmet and the wearing of a respirator could be problematic.
"As an employer committed to equality and diversity, we are working to try and find a solution to what is a national issue. This worthwhile work continues."
Turbans consist of around 15ft of cloth wound around the head.
Sikh men wear them to cover their hair, which they leave uncut in accordance with their religion. They often wear their long beards rolled up.
As well as being a sign of spirituality, the turban is also a symbol of Sikh identity and of courage.
Dr Indarjit Singh, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, said: 'It is mandatory for adult Sikh men to wear the turban, but there is a dilemma in some areas such as this where the police say wearing the helmet and respirator is absolutely necessary. The officer in question has approached me for advice.
'He wants to be a good Sikh role model and is very sincere in feeling that he should be allowed to wear the turban at all times.'
Sikh soldiers serving in the British Army refused to wear helmets during the First and Second World Wars.
They fought with their turbans on, several receiving the Victoria Cross for acts of gallantry.
Former West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent John Mellor said the West Midlands scheme was a case of 'health and safety gone mad'.
Sikh men: Turbans and beards are mandatory
He said: 'If this officer wishes to be in the OSU at his own risk, he should be able to carry out his training and his duties without the protective equipment.
'If they are going to insist on these precautions, then spending taxpayers' money looking for a way to get around their own rules is totally ridiculous.'
A force spokesman said: 'No Sikh officer has applied and been "turned down" from joining the Operational Support Unit because of faith issues.
'However, it has been identified that for some members of the Sikh faith, the removal of the turban to wear a helmet and the wearing of a respirator could be problematic.
'As an employer committed to equality and diversity, we are working to try and find a solution to what is a national issue.'
Reader views (15)
Well! A difficult issue in changing times. Most of the sikhs would like to preserve their identity and at the same time would like to perform their jobs as efficiently as anyone else. I am sure Sikh troops in Indian Army have specially designed gas masks.
Well did any one really try to contact Indian Army? They will probably have an answer to the whole issue.
- Harpreet Gill, New York, 26/10/2008 22:22
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Haha! Imagine how massive his helmet would have to be?
Seriously though. Couldn't they have just used Kevlar cloth but not solidified into the shape of a helmet? A turban is pretty much what a flak jacket is, layered cloth.
- Richard, UK, 26/10/2008 21:22
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More pointless politically correct benefits funded by the poor old UK taxpayer! 18 months to find something that doesn't exist on full pay, and then signed off on full pay with 'stress'. I must go to my boss and demand I wear a pair of jet-propelled underpants, or anti-gravity hat, so I can do my job - I am sure he would pay me for 18 months to find some.
- Gary, Wycombe, 26/10/2008 21:22
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As the England cricketer shows they do not have to wear the full turban. I have a few Sikh friends and even they say this is ridiculous. What a waste of money.
- Louie, London, 26/10/2008 21:22
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Like may people who know Sikhs and live in countries were Sikhs live and work, you quickly understand that the Sikhs are not the problem. On the contrary it is the idiotic and intolerant (probably crass ignorant) people from Health and Safety who seek to make rules and regulations mandatory and without exception, to all and sundry no matter the circumstances.
There is a saying "rules are made for the guidance of wise men and obedience by fools"
The sensible solution in this or any other case is to advise any Sikh that if they want to join some special group then they have to comply with the uniform given or accept the consequences of not wearing the protective clothing. I think you will find that any Sikh, unlike another religious group I can think of, would accept the situation without complaint.
- Ross Logie, Jakarta, Indonesia, 26/10/2008 21:22
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This is just another example of PR gone mad. If a Pakta is good enough for Monty Panesar, and I assume does not compromise his beliefs, why could not this Sikh officer be forced to wear one?
- Ron, London, 26/10/2008 21:22
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Why do they need a police helmet when they demanded and were granted dispensation from wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle? Are senior policemen so very stupid?
- Peter Haldane, London, 26/10/2008 21:22
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What a stupid waste of money.
Has it ever occurred to these PC idiots that Sikh fighter pilots in the Indian Air force managed to remove their turbans while flying and then just put them back on!
What's the matter with these idiots?
This kind of attitude causes resentment.
What a waste.
- Harvinder Singh, Southall, 26/10/2008 21:22
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The Indian army has Sikh soldiers - they can get the right kit - does not say much for the West Midlands Police.
- Jeremy E, London, 26/10/2008 21:22
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What an absolute pile of PC rubbish. West Midlands Police should be ashamed of themselves, talk about pandering to the most idiotic, waste of time and money schemes. It is US, the tax payer that has to foot the bill for this kind of stupidity.
The PC in question should have been told that unless he could meet the standard requirements he could not join the Operational Support Unit end of conversation. There, how hard was that? West Midlands Police, stop this PC rubbish and start doing some real policing.
- Nick, Brackley, 26/10/2008 21:22
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Nobody needs to be forced to do anything. Just issue him the same equipment as everybody else. If he refuses to remove his turban then there is no liability and no prejudice. More importantly no waste of our money!
- Mark, London, UK, 26/10/2008 21:22
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Surely a sensible compromise would be to wear the turban over the protective suit? And wouldn't the extra padding be a boon, even for non-Sikhs? I came up with that solution within 18 seconds, never mind 18 months.
- Keith, King's Cross, 26/10/2008 21:22
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Without any disrespect to anybody but they know the rules and uniform requirements and it is their choice to bend and fit the criteria. If they can't deal with them then don't apply to join.
You bend to British rules and regulations.
- Tony Winchester, Southend G.B., 26/10/2008 21:22
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As a sikh it is not the turban which is part of our faith, but that of keeping long hair. This episode makes a mockery out of our religion and as such instigate resentment. The Sikh religion is tolerant, and the man in this case would have been happy enough to remove his turban and work whilst using a gas mask and suit!
- Raminder Bhalla, Northolt, 26/10/2008 21:22
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Tony,
I am a 26yr old British Sikh Indian Woman (2nd generation), note how I said British first!
For you to say that we should bend to British rules and regulations is so disgraceful.
Sikh men wear a turban to keep their hair clean and to protect it.
Sikhism is a religion about living you life in a pure way.....not living by rules and regulations
The man in the article is one of very few British Sikh's who still wears a Turban in the country. A lot of our younger men have been forced to adjust/bend their beliefs to British regulations.
You have failed to notice that he is serving 'our queen and country' in his job. At least he made the effort to find a way of combining his passion for his job and his faith, while you have done nothing but made rude comments!
- A Kaur, London, 26/10/2008 21:22
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