Dublin - Sikh police officers from Britain have criticized a decision by the Irish police force to ban a Sikh recruit from wearing a turban on the job, according to reports in the Irish press Tuesday. The Sikh Association of London's Metropolitan Police, which has allowed Sikhs to wear official police turbans since the 1970s, said An Garda Siochana was engaging in "racial discrimination," The Irish Times reported.
Ireland's police made the decision to ban the wearing of the turban last week, saying all police officers were required to wear standard uniforms.
An Garda Siochana was "40 years behind the Metropolitan Police Service and the other civilized countries that recognize that Sikhs need to wear their turban as part of their religion whilst officiating in public roles," the report quoted the Sikh Association as saying.
The association called for the decision to be reversed. Until then the Irish Sikh community would have no confidence in their police force, it said.
The Irish Sikh Council has already criticized the decision.
