Police today rubbished reports that a Sikh officer in the West Midlands was paid more than £100,000 to find protective equipment that would fit over his turban and beard.
It was claimed the officer had an application to join the elite Operational Support Unit (OSU) rejected because he would not have been able to wear the headgear. The OSU carries out specialist duties such as searches of crime scenes and dealing with football riots, and some officers are trained to deal with chemical, biological and nuclear attacks.
It involves them wearing helmets and gas masks, but Sikh officers are unable to fit current equipment because of their beards.
Reports suggested West Midlands Police allowed one officer 18 months to find a way around the problem.
It was then alleged that when he failed to come up with a solution, he was returned to his normal duties before going off sick.
It is understood a Sikh officer has been looking into the issue, but that he was carrying out other duties at the same time.
Police sources said the figure of £100,000 had been a “gross exaggeration”.
Force spokeswoman Catherine Preece said: “West Midlands Police is a diverse organisation.
“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.”
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.”
He said the Sikh officer in question wanted to be a “good Sikh role model”.
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