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COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Somali-American police recruit, who wears a type of headscarf often worn by Muslim women, says she left a Columbus police academy over the city police department’s rule barring headscarves.
Regulations prohibit officers from wearing headscarves, and officials refused to change the policy for recruit Ismahan Isse.
The 29-year-old Muslim told the Columbus Dispatch she would like to return to the academy. But she said her scarf, called a hijab, is important to her.
Police said they prohibit headscarves for safety reasons and so officers appear similar and impartial.
Because officers must uses helmets and gas masks at times, a headscarf would get in the way, Sgt. Rich Weiner told the Dispatch. A suspect might also use a scarf to try to strangle an officer, he said.
Columbus Michael B. Coleman asked public safety officials to re-examine the policy after getting questions about it from the Dispatch.
A call seeking comment was left at the safety department Sunday.
The leader of the Somali Community Association of Ohio said Columbus police have never had a Somali officer.
Source: www.cleveland.com/
