Muslim Woman Police Officer won't shake Chiefs Hand
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... ge_id=1770 -
I cannot shake your hand, sir. I'm a Muslim and you're a man
By MARTIN SMITH - More by this author »
Last updated at 22:07pm on 20th January 2007
A Muslim woman police officer has sparked a new debate by refusing to shake hands with Britain's most senior police chief for religious reasons.
The incident happened at a passing-out parade where Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair was inspecting a line-up of 200 recruits.
In addition to refusing a traditional congratulatory handshake from Sir Ian, the WPC - who wore a traditional Muslim hijab headscarf - also declined to be photographed with him as she did not want the picture used for 'propaganda purposes'.
The woman had earlier insisted that it was contrary to her religious teaching for her to touch a man.
Now The Mail on Sunday has learned that her gesture has sparked top-level discussions at Scotland Yard.
Some officers argue that her attitude towards men might impede her ability to detain offenders.
However, it is clear that she is happy to come into contact with men, just not shake their hand or kiss them.
An inquiry has now been launched and the unidentified WPC - described as 'a non-Asian Muslim' - could face the sack if it is considered that her strict religious beliefs prevent her performing as an effective police officer.
However, senior commanders are worried that dismissing her would deepen the atmosphere of mistrust between the police and the Muslim community.
The incident happened at Imber Court, Scotland Yard's sports and conference centre at Thames Ditton in South West London, when the 200 recruits attended a passing-out parade having completed their 18 weeks' basic training.
A senior police source said: "Before Sir Ian arrived she told her training supervisor that she was not going to shake his hand because it was against her religion.
"She also said she did not want her picture taken with the commissioner because they would only use it for propaganda.
"Sir Ian was informed on his arrival of the officer's request. This has never happened before and he was bloody furious. But he agreed to go along with it so as not to cause a scene.
"He went out and shook the hand of every single new recruit apart from her. It was very obvious and very embarrassing.
"There was a great deal of discussion about it afterwards. People were asking how the hell is she going to make an arrest if she refuses to touch men."
Having completed her 18 weeks' initial training, the WPC has now been assigned to a West London police station as a beat bobby.
Like all newly qualified officers, she will remain on probation for two years to satisfy her superiors that she is suitable for the job.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said of the Imber Court incident on December 21 that normally the police would have refused a request not to shake Sir Ian's hand.
"It was only granted by members of training staff out of a desire to minimise any disruption to other people's enjoyment and to ensure the smooth running of what is one of the most important events in an officer's career,' she said.
"The commissioner did question the validity of this request and the matter is being looked at by the MPS."
The spokeswoman added that the officer has completed all basic training, including the safety course 'which requires recruits to come into physical contact with each other regardless of gender'.
Asked about the officer's ability to make an arrest, she said: "There is a standard between personal and professional life. A passing-out parade is a personal event. You are not fulfilling a professional duty there."
Scotland Yard has allowed Muslim WPCs to wear an adaptation of the hijab since 2001.
But, despite a vigorous recruitment campaign, there are still only around 300 Muslims among the Met's 35,000 officers and fewer than 20 are women.
The incident is the latest in a series of 'political correctness' and race-related rows under Sir Ian's command at the Met.
Last October, at the height of the Israel-Lebanon conflict, PC Alexander Basha, 24, was moved from Diplomatic Protection Group duties at the Israeli Embassy because he feared his Lebanese relatives could be targeted if he was seen on TV.
In June 2005 Sir Ian was judged to have 'hung out to dry' three white detectives - who were accused of rudely mispronouncing "Shi'ites' - to prove his anti-racist credentials.
An employment tribunal said that while he was deputy commissioner in charge of discipline and diversity he had prejudiced disciplinary proceedings against the men because he wanted to make an example of them.
----------------------
Add your comment | View all Comments (10)
10 people have commented on this story so far. Tell us what you think below.
Here's a sample of the latest comments published. You can click view all to read all comments that readers have sent in.
So, if she won't restrain a man for religious reasons, and it causes a fellow officer to be injured or worse killed, you're okay with that and will allow her to remain an officer because you didn't want to offend others in her religious denomination, because it might cause a stir.
- Pam, San Antonio, TX
Read the article:
"However, it is clear that she is happy to come into contact with men, just not shake their hand or kiss them. "
- Gary, Huddersfield
Not shaking hands with the head of the force she has joined is failing to respect the uniform she wears
- Peter, Erith Kent
View all Add your comment
Name:
Your email address will not be publishedEmail:
Town and country:
Terms and conditionsYour comment:
make text area biggerYou have 1000 characters left.
Remember me - this will save you having to type out your name, location and email address when you next leave a comment.
Email me a link to these comments.
Have your Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday delivered to your door. To find out more click here.
Partner Promotion
Advertising Feature
Mail to a friend Print story Read later
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top of Page
©2007 Associated Newspapers Ltd · Terms & Conditions · PrivacySkip over adverts
Femail
The seven-year-old girl who's beaten three cancers
Brave Chloe Harrison has been hit by cancer three times in two years. The seven-year-old wasn't expected to survive but today her brown eyes are sparkling with life
Minister's fling with BBC girl who booked him for Newsnight
When pensions minister James Purnell appeared on Newsnight, viewers were mystified by the 'easy ride' he was given by Jeremy Paxman. Now it's emerged Newsnight producer Thea Rogers, who booked Mr Purnell to appear on the show, was in the middle of a fling with him at the time
Sign here for £1 million: The autograph hunter's sale bonanza
He has spent more than 30 years and £100,000 collecting the autographs of the most famous stars of stage and screen. Now he has decided to 'grow up and move on' while banking £1 million selling his collection of signatures
TODAY ON SPORT...
Nadal beats Murray in five sets to reach last eight of Australian Open
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News » Entire site » Blue Monday: The unhappiest day of the year
Guess whose little girl's on the catwalk?
Will Hillary be cheated once again?
Chelsy joins the TopShop brigade
Seized! £200,000 villa couple won on Richard and Judy
More detailed results »
A Muslim woman police officer has sparked a new debate by refusing to shake hands with Britain's most senior police chief for religious reasons.
The incident happened at a passing-out parade where Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair was inspecting a line-up of 200 recruits.
Sign up for the latest news alerts
In addition to refusing a traditional congratulatory handshake from Sir Ian, the WPC - who wore a traditional Muslim hijab headscarf - also declined to be photographed with him as she did not want the picture used for 'propaganda purposes'.
The woman had earlier insisted that it was contrary to her religious teaching for her to touch a man.
Now The Mail on Sunday has learned that her gesture has sparked top-level discussions at Scotland Yard.
Some officers argue that her attitude towards men might impede her ability to detain offenders.
However, it is clear that she is happy to come into contact with men, just not shake their hand or kiss them.
An inquiry has now been launched and the unidentified WPC - described as 'a non-Asian Muslim' - could face the sack if it is considered that her strict religious beliefs prevent her performing as an effective police officer.
However, senior commanders are worried that dismissing her would deepen the atmosphere of mistrust between the police and the Muslim community.
The incident happened at Imber Court, Scotland Yard's sports and conference centre at Thames Ditton in South West London, when the 200 recruits attended a passing-out parade having completed their 18 weeks' basic training.
A senior police source said: "Before Sir Ian arrived she told her training supervisor that she was not going to shake his hand because it was against her religion.
"She also said she did not want her picture taken with the commissioner because they would only use it for propaganda.
"Sir Ian was informed on his arrival of the officer's request. This has never happened before and he was bloody furious. But he agreed to go along with it so as not to cause a scene.
"He went out and shook the hand of every single new recruit apart from her. It was very obvious and very embarrassing.
"There was a great deal of discussion about it afterwards. People were asking how the hell is she going to make an arrest if she refuses to touch men."
Having completed her 18 weeks' initial training, the WPC has now been assigned to a West London police station as a beat bobby.
Like all newly qualified officers, she will remain on probation for two years to satisfy her superiors that she is suitable for the job.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said of the Imber Court incident on December 21 that normally the police would have refused a request not to shake Sir Ian's hand.
"It was only granted by members of training staff out of a desire to minimise any disruption to other people's enjoyment and to ensure the smooth running of what is one of the most important events in an officer's career,' she said.
"The commissioner did question the validity of this request and the matter is being looked at by the MPS."
The spokeswoman added that the officer has completed all basic training, including the safety course 'which requires recruits to come into physical contact with each other regardless of gender'.
Asked about the officer's ability to make an arrest, she said: "There is a standard between personal and professional life. A passing-out parade is a personal event. You are not fulfilling a professional duty there."
Scotland Yard has allowed Muslim WPCs to wear an adaptation of the hijab since 2001.
But, despite a vigorous recruitment campaign, there are still only around 300 Muslims among the Met's 35,000 officers and fewer than 20 are women.
The incident is the latest in a series of 'political correctness' and race-related rows under Sir Ian's command at the Met.
Last October, at the height of the Israel-Lebanon conflict, PC Alexander Basha, 24, was moved from Diplomatic Protection Group duties at the Israeli Embassy because he feared his Lebanese relatives could be targeted if he was seen on TV.
In June 2005 Sir Ian was judged to have 'hung out to dry' three white detectives - who were accused of rudely mispronouncing "Shi'ites' - to prove his anti-racist credentials.
An employment tribunal said that while he was deputy commissioner in charge of discipline and diversity he had prejudiced disciplinary proceedings against the men because he wanted to make an example of them.
Add your comment | View all Comments (10)
10 people have commented on this story so far. Tell us what you think below.
Here's a sample of the latest comments published. You can click view all to read all comments that readers have sent in.
So, if she won't restrain a man for religious reasons, and it causes a fellow officer to be injured or worse killed, you're okay with that and will allow her to remain an officer because you didn't want to offend others in her religious denomination, because it might cause a stir.
- Pam, San Antonio, TX
Read the article:
"However, it is clear that she is happy to come into contact with men, just not shake their hand or kiss them. "
- Gary, Huddersfield
Not shaking hands with the head of the force she has joined is failing to respect the uniform she wears
make text area biggerYou have 1000 characters left.
Remember me - this will save you having to type out your name, location and email address when you next leave a comment.
Email me a link to these comments.
Have your Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday delivered to your door. To find out more click here.
