Las Vegas, NV – An Orthodox Jewish police officer suing the Metropolitan Police Department for religious discrimination received permission Friday to grow back his beard, an essential aspect of his faith, until his federal case is resolved.
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But U.S. District Judge Roger Hunt ruled that Steve Riback, a nine-year veteran of the Police Department, cannot wear a yarmulke on the job. A yarmulke is a skullcap worn by Jewish men and boys.
Attorney Al Marquis successfully argued that it is essential for police officers to maintain a neutral, unbiased appearance. Outwardly showing religious or political leanings could compromise an officer’s neutrality and even escalate an incident, placing police and the public in danger, he said.
“How would it appear if a judge came to court with religious symbols on his robe, or a yarmulke for that matter?” Marquis said. “That would be inappropriate.”
American Civil Liberties Union attorney Lee Rowland said she was pleased Riback is permitted to wear a beard “to fulfill his own personal religious needs.” [reviewjournal]
What is the problem, can’t he wear a police hat or cap whatever they wear in Las Vegas?
The absence of any visible religious symbols is a statement in itsef and not neutrality.
There seem to be two opposing issues involved here. On the one hand, the [so called] Civil Liberties Union has fought to uphold the right of every out-of-the-mainstream group or individual and the right to practice their eccentric behavior. And on this issue, [the right of the Police officer to wear a beard and Yarmulka on the job] their silence is deafening. On the other hand, the PO himself, if he is truly committed to practice his religious convictions, will choose Religion over his job.
just for the record, its henderson nevada, outside las vegas, he davens in the chabad house, rabbi mendy harlig, org from ny, he is shomer shabbos because of chabad…..
For gosh sakes we dont even know what the judges wear UNDER the robes!?!?!?!!? Big deal.
Granted if I went in front of a male judge who was wearing a white or colored tichel with a “gartel” around his forehead, I would be concerned!
And a judge wearing a cross is ok?
Some judges DO wear yarmulkes on the bench. That doesn’t seem to be a problem.
And I wear mine when I sit as an arbitrator in various cases.
Nobody has ever accused me with partiality on account of it.
olam goylam!
“How would it appear if a judge came to court with religious symbols on his robe, or a yarmulke for that matter?” Marquis said. “That would be inappropriate.”
Dont the frum law peopke in NY wear a yarmulke? For these wakkos when they need a nice Jewish Lawyer, they wont care if he wears a gorilla suit as long as he can win the case!