The Edmonton Police Service has revealed that it want to make its police force look more diverse in the face of growing Muslim population in the area.
The Muslim police recruits will now be allowed to don their Islamic headscarves without having to stick to the code of dress set by the police force.
It is understood the Muslim headscarf would be black, and designed to be worn underneath the standard police cap, according to the Canadian paper, National Post.
"Unlike a traditional hijab, it is to be affixed with tear-away snaps, and designed so as not to obstruct an officer's vision, or even breathing, during a struggle or other dynamic situation.
"It is being tested by the force's tactics training unit, though a final version has not yet been decided," Leila Daoud, a civilian spokesperson for the force, said.
"One of the perceptions about Edmonton and Alberta is that we're kind of redneck…Offering the hijab to police recruits, especially in the absence of any political pressure is sort of saying we want to have a diverse police service that reflects the diversity and multicultural aspects of Edmonton…. I'm proud of us," Scott McKeen, a city Councillor who has helped immigrants settle in Edmonton, said when asked about the significance of the jibab.
Overt displays of Islamic faith on government workers have been controversial, and have inspired misinformation and fear-mongering.
In the summer of 2001, the city of London became the first United Kingdom city to permit Muslim female police officers to wear an official hijab. Its version includes a black and white check rim. Other British forces have headscarves on hand for female officers who have reason to enter mosques. Norway, Sweden and Indonesia have similar policies.
