Minister Dilan Yesilgöz (Security and Justice, VVD) had put it this way: the debate on whether police officers can wear a headscarf or a cross must be over once and for all. “I hope that the discussion is over and that there is no longer a political discussion about this issue on the backs of officers,” she said. Wednesday in The Telegraph.
In vain. That same day, dozens of police officers turned against the minister’s decision, mainly via social media, to lay down in the dress code that police officers definitely do not wear any visible expression of religion or belief. “How nice. Our competent authority has again radically dealt with a (non-existent) problem with the police”, responded the community police officer from the Rotterdam district of Spangen, André van Wingerden, on LinkedIn.
Van Wingerden believes that the debate should not be about the neutral appearance of agents. “We must act neutrally.” Furthermore, he especially wants to encourage the Islamic girls from his neighborhood who are interested in police work. He wants to let it be known “as a Christian” that “there are also many colleagues within the police who are fed up with this (the neutrality rule, ed.) and hope that one day you will be able to chase your dream. While retaining your basic garments”. When asked, Van Wingerden says he has received “quite a lot of open support” from colleagues for his piece.
Police want to keep an open mind
The corps leadership of the National Police thought about a response for 24 hours. The police top is not happy with Yesilgöz’s decision, but struggled with the right diplomatic formulations. The outside world must not be allowed to create the image of a blue revolt: the police turn against the minister. A statement appeared on the intranet on Thursday under the headline: ‘No expressions of faith with uniform’. The police say they remain committed to the desire to “actually” become a police for everyone. “Let’s go with one open mind keep looking at this issue and keep reaching out to everyone, including those who want to express their faith visibly out of conviction,” writes Liesbeth Huyzer, deputy chief of police.
Also the ‘quartermaster diversity’ of the police, Leo Wallage, announces on LinkedIn that “the debate cannot be stopped”. He recommends “as very readable” a contribution by lawyer Sarah Izat. This Iraqi-born woman who has been living in the Netherlands since she was eight years old tried unsuccessfully to enforce through legal channels that she could wear a headscarf as a police officer. Izat is “deeply disappointed” in Yesilgöz. “By banning headscarves in the police force, women are restricted in their freedom to openly practice their religion. Not only does this affect their personal dignity, but it can also result in the exclusion of qualified and competent women who would like to pursue a career in the police force.” thus Isat on Linkedln. She left last year at the Rotterdam police where she worked for nine years.
Harmful to image
The National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism (NCDR), Rabin Baldewsingh, also disagrees with the minister’s decision. “Yesilgöz only pays lip service to the PVV,” says Baldewsingh when asked.
A police officer must be able to wear a headscarf, says the Anti-Racism Coordinator
The ban on wearing religious expressions is the result of a motion by Lilian Helder (PVV) adopted in November 2022 in the House of Representatives. According to Baldewsingh, the minister is “carried away by the polarization and prejudices in society”. In practice, the ministerial decision is simply a headscarf ban that amounts to excluding female Muslims, he says.
These are strange times, says Baldewsingh. The Rotterdam police recently wanted to promote an officer who had been convicted of racist behaviour. But an agent may not wear a headscarf because then she is not neutral. “What really damages the image of the police?”
Baldewsingh is pleased that the police say they want to “continue dialogue sessions” on this subject. “The police dare to show leadership here and show that they are not blind to developments in society that demand an inclusive police organization.”