Scotland police add hijab to uniform to attract Muslim women recruits

Police Scotland is set to introduce hijab as part of its uniform to encourage more Muslim women into the force and address the under-representation of officers from ethnic minority backgrounds.

 

 

Police Scotland is set to introduce hijab as part of its uniform to encourage more Muslim women into the force and address the under-representation of officers from ethnic minority backgrounds.

In a briefing to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), Police Scotland said it would need to recruit an additional 650 ethnic minority candidates to reflect the 4% of those from black and Asian backgrounds in society as a whole, something it described as currently “unachievable”.

While there is no ban on female officers wearing headscarves, those wanting to do so must get permission from their line manager.

It is understood no such authorization will be required for those wanting to wear the new standard issue hijab.

Peter Blair, head of resource management at the force, said: “Police Scotland is committed to working with communities to encourage under-represented groups to consider policing as a career.

Brian Docherty, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, added: “Anything that can help increase diversity within the service is surely to be welcomed and I don’t see why anyone would have any problem with that.”