Civil Rights Suit Lets Policemen Keep Beards
Muslim police in Newark have won the right to keep wearing their beards on duty in the settlement of a federal civil rights lawsuit.
The Justice Department suit alleged 10 Muslim officers were threatened with termination, transfers to undesirable assignments and denial of opportunities to work special overtime events.
A U.S. Justice Department spokesman said the settlement requires Newark to reverse the “no-beard” policy to allow for religious freedom and pay the 10 officers $53,600. Wearing a beard is a Muslim religious custom.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
