New Zealand Police introduce hijab to uniform, first officer to wear it feels ‘proud’

Constable Zeena Ali is New Zealand Police’s first member to put on a specifically designed hijab launched as a part of the pressure’s uniform to encourage extra Muslim girls to affix the ranks. Zeena, 30, was impressed to affix the police to assist her Muslim neighborhood after the Christchurch terror assault final yr during which 51 folks had been killed at two mosques in New Zealand. This week she won’t solely graduate as a police officer, however will develop into the primary in New Zealand to don a police-issued hijab as a part of her uniform, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Zeena has labored with police to design a garment that’s each purposeful for her new position and thoughtful of her faith, it stated.

“It feels great to be able to go out and show the New Zealand Police uniform hijab because I was able to take part in the design process,” she stated, including that she was “proud” to symbolize her neighborhood – notably girls.

Zeena believes that the transfer will encourage different girls to use to the pressure as nicely.

“Having a police-branded hijab means women, who may not have previously considered policing, can do so now. It’s great how the police incorporated my religion and culture,” she stated.

Born in Fiji, Zeena moved to New Zealand along with her household when she was a toddler. She appreciated police for contemplating her private wants – each on the Police College and in her position going ahead.

“At college they had a prayer room and halal meals. When I had to go swimming, they were ok with me wearing long sleeves,” Zeena stated.

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“We need more Muslim women to help in the community, most of them are too scared to talk to the police and would probably shut the front door if a man turned up to talk to them. If we have more women turning up, a more diverse front line, then we can reduce more crime,” she stated.

Valuing variety is without doubt one of the six core values for New Zealand Police – alongside professionalism, respect, integrity, empathy and dedication to Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi, the report stated.

“We recognise the value different perspectives and experiences bring to making us better at what we do,” New Zealand Police stated.

“We need people with a range of skills, backgrounds and experience levels – diversity is essential so that we can effectively serve the needs of New Zealand’s communities now and in the future,” it stated.

In 2008, New Zealand Police launched a turban into the uniform, and Nelson Constable Jagmohan Malhi turned the primary officer to put on it on obligation. Until then he needed to forgo the turban on obligation, regardless of it being an vital a part of his Sikh religion. In the UK, the Metropolitan Police in London permitted a uniform hijab in 2006 with Police Scotland following in 2016. In Australia, Maha Sukkar of Victoria Police wore a hijab in 2004, BBC stated in a report.