The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the City of Philadelphia in prohibiting police officers from wearing religious head coverings like Muslim scarfs. Officer Kimberlie Webb argued the policy amounts to religious discrimination. While the court agreed with that description, they found the City met its burden in showing why it was nonetheless necessary. Read more for quotes from the decision outlining the rationale. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the City of Philadelphia in prohibiting police officers from wearing religious head coverings like Muslim scarfs. Officer Kimberlie Webb argued the policy amounts to religious discrimination. While the court agreed with that description, they found the City met its burden in showing why it was nonetheless necessary. From the decision (pdf) (via How Appealing )
In the City’s view, at stake is the police department’s impartiality, or more precisely, the perception of its impartiality by citizens of all races and religions whom the police are charged to serve and protect. If not for the strict enforcement of Directive 78, the City contends, the essential values of impartiality, religious neutrality, uniformity, and the subordination of personal preference would be severely damaged to the detriment of the proper functioning of the police department. In the words of Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, uniformity “encourages the subordination of personal preferences in favor of the overall policing mission” and conveys “a sense of authority and competence to other officers inside the Department, as well as to the general public.”
The ruling found that Webb had not successfully challenged this assertion. Shannon Duffy has more at law.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Webb's attorney is considering an appeal to the Supreme Court, but considers it "a long shot".
