Philly Officer Appeals To Wear Muslim Scarf
By Wyatt Earp | September 9, 2008
Yep, you read the headline correctly. This “officer” is suing to wear a Muslim head scarf while in uniform and in the performance of her duties.
This, dear readers, is exactly what is wrong with today’s politically-correct Philadelphia Police Department. And mark my words: it is going to get worse before it gets better.
Lawyers for a Philadelphia police officer who wants to wear a Muslim head scarf on the job are taking their case before a federal appeals court panel in Philadelphia today.
Everyone in this city should be appalled by this blatant waste of taxpayer’s money.
Kimberlie Webb, 44, has been on the force more than 10 years. A federal judge ruled in June 2007 that the police department did not discriminate against Webb when it forbade her from wearing the head scarf at work.
Of course the department did not discriminate against her. There is a uniform directive (Directive 78) that clearly states what can and cannot be worn while on duty. This directive is taught and explained on virtually the first day of the police academy! Muslim scarves are forbidden. End of story.
Webb has appealed to the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Naturally. Webb is an attention whore. Imagine what would happen if she channeled all of this energy into her chosen profession. She would be the best police officer in America.
The scarf would cover Webb’s hair, forehead, neck, shoulders and chest. The city says it violates uniform regulations. (H/T – Philly.com)
Imagine you are stuck in the middle of an emergency. You dial 911 and an officer responds to your call. When the officer arrives on location, you see a Philadelphia Police Department uniform, two eyes, and maybe a mouth. The rest is covered by a Muslim scarf. Do you think that this is a police officer?
Right or wrong, an officer’s professionalism deals with much more than that officer’s actions. It includes the entire package: actions, demeanor, and uniform. A Muslim scarf is not, in my opinion, professional attire for a member of an American police department. I guess I’m a racist.
What really grinds my gears about this nonsense is that Webb did not wear a Muslim scarf in the police academy. Why? Because she knew she wouldn’t be hired if she did. They’re pretty strict in the academy, and if you deviate from the uniform, you’re gone. She didn’t have a problem with the rules then, so why does she have a problem with the rules now? In my opinion, it is because Kimberlie Webb is looking for a payday.
Topics: Philly, The Job | 19 Comments »
September 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Good Luck on this one. The libs will be all over it. Responding to a call in the dark dressed like that could very well get her killed. Looking like a Talaban ya know. Again good luck on this.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Good luck. If she wanted to wear a big ol’ crucifix the ACLU would probably look the other way. I hope the city doesn’t cave – she knew the regulations when she signed on.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
If she doesn’t want to wear the official uniform, find a different job.
September 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I’ve often considered the addition of antlers and propellors to police officers hats…. This just might be my foot in the door.
September 9th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
But wait. If courts rule in her favor it will set a NATIONAL precedent. EVERYONE will be all over that ruling. You’d best win this one or there’ll be a nation of cops with, let’s say, some unhappy feelings towards Philadelphia.
BZ
September 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I believe in the Great Slipper, if she wins I’m going to dress as a ballerina.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Oh, I almost forgot to say, “What a dumbass!”
September 9th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Sorry Wyatt, but you’re off base on this one. Your entire argument is based on reason and logic. Consequently, it’ll never fly in a court of law.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Outrageous. The Muslin headscarf is worn by women to symbolize their submission to Islam–men, however do not have to advertise their submission.
A submissive woman does not an effective police officer make. The City better win this.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Sorry Wyatt, but you’re off base on this one. Your entire argument is based on reason and logic. Consequently, it’ll never fly in a court of law.
Especially in Philly.
Utterly ridiculous.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Insanity. RT hit this one the head.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
“Kaffiye Kops” involved in “Hijab Hijinks”. heh.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:09 am
This POS should be forced to wear a Burkah.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I’m not well versed in police dress codes but I happen to have a little common sense.
If a cop with a head scarf gets into a scuffle, wouldn’t that scarf be the perfect thing to grab hold of, shake her like a rag doll as it’s pulled over her eyes, blinding her?
September 10th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I’m generally pretty tolerant of this kind of thing when reasonable accommodations can be made by the employer. But there’s very good reasons for patrol officers being in uniform, both for public recognition, and because it’s a symbol of their authoritay.
The uniform comes with the job. They shouldn’t grant religious exceptions to this.
September 11th, 2008 at 4:53 am
The uniform comes with the job in the military too, but Jewish men are permitted a yarmulke/kippah (adhering to certain regulations that is). While a full scarf would, as kaveman points out, present a grabbing hazard (as does long hair, which I oppose on female soldiers, police, etc. anyway)- I think there could or SHOULD be a way for Muslim women to honor their faith with something tailored to be less of a hazard, and to not detract from the professional appearance of the uniform.
September 11th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
It’s a safety issue not a fashion or religious issue, same reason police wear break away ties. Now someone grabs her head gear through the window (some of you know what I mean, ORF) and chokes her to death then her family sues for the department letting her wear it!
September 12th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Frankly, this is a no brainer. This should be thrown out of the courts. I mean, she knew what the dress code was when she joined the academy and she’s been in the force for ten years now without a problem. Something else is going on here. Something, or rather someone, is trying to get their foot in the door with this piece of idiocy. and, as for the safety issue, if wearing one of those scarves lead to a female officer’s death if allowed, I hope the people who allow it to occur will be able to look at themselves in the mirror after it happens.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Can’t she just wear a checkerboard clip on tie like the checkerboard table cloth she wants to wear.