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Sikh police officer wears Turban in New Zealand
WSN Bureau 

NELSON: Jagmohan Singh Malhi, a Sikh immigrant, who had sometime back relinquished the basic requirements of his faith, did his family and community proud by keeping unshorn hair and becoming the first turbaned Sikh police officer of the country. 

His happiness knew no bounds when he said that “it was a great feeling to honour the request of my father who always wanted me to adhere to my faith.”   

While hate mongering has become an international pastime, it is praiseworthy that the Nelson Bays Area Commander Inspector Brian McGurk has said the turban was a reflection of New Zealand Police becoming more diverse and more representative of the communities it worked alongside.  He further said that the New Zealand police was delighted that they had been able to help one of their officers to nurture his religious and cultural beliefs. 

Mr. McGurk pointed out that New Zealand police approved the turban design earlier this year, as a Sikh police recruit was accepted at police training college, although Mr Malhi was the first officer to wear a turban on duty. 

Significantly, the dark blue colour and design of the turban with the Police crest at the front, without the black and white police dicing has been designed after rounds of consultation between Jagmohan Singh, police managers, the Police Uniform Standards Coordinator, the Police Ethnic Responsiveness Coordinator and members of the Sikh community. 

With this step, New Zealand joins a host of other countries including Great Britain and Canada where Sikh officers wear a turban on duty in uniformed services. 

Last year Jagmohan along with other colleagues was awarded Diploma in Police workplace practice.

17 September 2008
 

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