GARDA Commissioner Noel Conroy has cast doubt over the possibility of allowing Sikh recruits to wear specially adapted turbans.
Speaking to Metro Eireann after the launch of the booklet Your Police Service in Intercultural Ireland on Monday, the Garda chief commented: “Can I say from my point of view, we have the uniform that’s our standard uniform… and as of now that is the way we go. When our police officers work with the UN we adopt the culture of the UN to police different countries. We’re no different to that and we would hope that we will be having further talks with some people from the Sikh community, to deal more thoroughly with this matter.”
Asked if this meant that there is a possibility that a ‘Garda turban’ for Sikh recruits could be introduced, he responded: “Well I am not saying that. I just want a good debate on the matter and hopefully from there we may find a solution, but I’m not saying one way or the other.”
Last week, Metro Eireann exclusively revealed that a Sikh man training to become a Garda Reservist had been told that during station duty he could not wear his turban, which for male Sikhs is a compulsory religious garment worn on the head.
A source from the Sikh community explained: “He was selected for training as a Garda Reservist – he passed all the exams and took the training, and now at the end of the training they told him he has to put on a cap rather than the turban. This person is working as an IT professional but he wanted to work as a volunteer in the Garda Reserves to give some service back to the community.”
Police forces in the UK and Canada have specially adapted turbans which incorporate their organisation’s insignia. Lon-don’s Metropolitan Police have been facilitating Sikh officers to wear turbans since the early 1970s.
“It will be an interesting topic to raise because at the first step of integration of the communities, they [gardai] are failing,” said the source.
It appears that the force is completely up in the air over the situation, with two attempts to clarify the matter with the Garda Press Office coming unstuck.
Asked about the force’s position on the matter and whether it was consulting other police forces with a view to developing a turban, a spokesperson said: “The position in relation to the wearing of [the] Garda uniform is that all members are required to wear [the] standard Garda uniform on operational duties.”
A second response stated: “Our approach to this matter is in line with the National Action Plan Against Racism (NPAR) and the organisation’s commitment to following an intercultural approach.”
The intercultural booklet published by An Garda Síochána has been released in 12 languages and provides basic information on subjects such as the role of its ethnic liaison officers, road traffic laws, and what to do if racially abused.
Speaking at the booklet launch, Kensika Monshengwo of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) said he had lived in various European and African societies and that An Garda Síochána “are ahead of the posse”.
Referring to the force’s recruitment drive for ethnic minority members, he said: “Positive steps are being taken. It’s rare to see that you can become a police officer without having the nationality of that country.”
To access a copy of Your Police Force in Intercultural Ireland, visit www.garda.ie
