UNITED SIKHS Applauds the intervention of the USDOJ in a move against the CDCR’s No-Beard Policy
The United States Department of Justice has taken decisive action to protect the religious rights of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) peace officers. In a recent court order, U.S. District Judge Daniel Calabretta granted a preliminary injunction against CDCR’s policy that restricted facial hair for officers who wear beards due to sincerely held religious beliefs.
In an application for a preliminary injunction against CDCR, the Justice Department moved to represent Sikhs, Muslims and other minorities who wear facial hair as an expression of their faith, and face job-related challenges due to the CDCR facial hair policy. The federal government requested that CDCR immediately cease enforcing its clean-shaven policy against peace officers with sincerely held religious beliefs until the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) completes its investigation and issues final dispositions or until CDCR adequately engages in the interactive process. The court order allows these officers to wear beards while CDCR assesses options for providing religious accommodations while complying with safety regulations.
UNITED SIKHS applauds the intervention of the Justice Department for making the move and recognizing that “Religious freedom and religious accommodation are bedrock principles of our democracy” as clearly expressed by Assistant Attorney General Kirsten Clarke. She further maintained that Sikhs, Muslims and employees of other minority faiths should not be forced to choose between the practice of their faith and their jobs.”
Previously, UNITED SIKHS and the American Civil Liberties Union attained a notable victory against the U.S. Army when “a federal court ruled that a Sikh college student must be allowed to enroll in Army ROTC without shaving his beard, cutting his hair, or removing his turban”. This decision that allowed a Sikh student to fairly compete for a contracted position in the ROTC while maintaining his turban and beard was a historical victory for the Sikh community.
Today is another milestone for the Sikh Community, earning an ally with the United States Department of Justice in protecting religious freedom.
Attached is the fact sheet explaining in detail the actions CDCR must take as per the Court’s order. If anyone believes CDCR is not following the Court’s order or has questions about how the order may apply to them, please contact the USDOJ Civil Rights Division at Community.CDCR@usdoj.gov.
