New York Police Department has reinstated a Muslim officer, who was suspended without pay for refusing to shave his beard.
Officer Masood Syed was reinstated after he was escorted out of police headquarters last month for not shaving his beard which he said he grew for religious reasons.
After a little more than a week when a judge said the NYPD had to reinstate the officer's pay and benefits, Syed was allowed back on the force and permitted to keep his one-inch beard, according to NBC News.
Syed, who said he has maintained about half-to-one-inch (13 to 25 mm) beard for most of his 10-year career, has sued the department saying its no-beard policy is unconstitutional.
Following the suit, the NYPD said it will examine its policy banning beards.
'Given an ultimatum to choose between my faith and my career on that day was one of the most disquieting moments of my life, hopefully no other officer will be put in that situation again,' said Syed.
'It appears the NYPD has taken this crucial step to address this policy, and I am looking forward to getting back to work.'
Comments