Police Scotland make hijab part of official uniform

LONDON: The hijab or the headscarf has been made an optional part of Police Scotland's uniform in an attempt to attract more women Muslim recruits to the force, which currently has less black and Asian representation. Previously officers could wear the religious headscarf with approval but it is now formally part of the police uniform. Police Scotland said it is working to make the force "representative of the communities we serve". "Like many other employers, especially in the public sector, we are working towards ensuring our service is representative of the communities we serve," said Police Scotland's Chief Constable Phil Gormley. "I hope that this addition to our uniform options will contribute to making our staff mix more diverse and adds to the life skills, experiences and personal qualities that our officers and staff bring to policing the communities of Scotland," he said. The move in Scotland comes 10 years after Scotland Yard in London approved a uniform hijab. There are currently six female Muslim officers working for Police Scotland, but none of them wear the hijab either on duty or off it. Official figures showed that there were 127 applications from black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates in 2015-16. That was just 2.6 per cent of the total number applying to work for the force. The latest announcement is aimed at encouraging more Muslim women to consider a career in the police force. The Scottish Police Authority said, "Based on these figures, it is clear to see that challenge Police Scotland faces. If the black and minority ethnic groups (BME) national average of 4 per cent is to be met within the organisation, an additional 650 BME recruits are required across all areas of the business." "Considering current application trends, this would appear to be unachievable," it said. The Scottish Police Muslim Association's chairman Fahad Bashir welcomed the announcement on the hijab. "This is a positive step in the right direction, and I am delighted that Police Scotland is taking productive steps in order to ensure that our organisation is seen to be inclusive and represents the diverse communities that we serve across Scotland. No doubt this will encourage more women from Muslim and minority ethnic backgrounds to join Police Scotland," Bashir said.