Civil Rights Suit Lets Policemen Keep Beards
From Times Wire Reports
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.
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