RCMP allows female members to wear hijabs
Female members of the RCMP are now allowed to wear a hijab head scarf as part of their uniform, as the Mounties look to encourage more Muslim women to join their ranks, writes The Globe and Mail .
“The move to offer the hijab as part of the RCMP uniform is intended to better reflect the changing diversity in the community and encourage more Muslim women to consider policing as a career option,” according to an RCMP briefing note sent to Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.
“The objective will be to demonstrate that the RCMP is a progressive and inclusive police service that values and respects persons of all cultural and religious backgrounds,” it said.
The note, approved by Commissioner Paulson, said three versions of the hijab underwent “rigorous testing” at the RCMP training depot, before an approved version was selected for police use. It can also fit under the iconic RCMP forage cap, a spokeswoman said.
According to the source, since 1990, male Sikh RCMP members have been allowed to wear a turban on the job, once approved.