A Muslim advocacy group is praising a southeastern Michigan police department for letting prisoners wear hijab and other forms of religious head covering. The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says it welcomes the decision by the Canton Police Department to change its religious accommodation policy. The new booking policy that took effect Tuesday lets those in custody wear religious head covering as long as they're behind bars. Group lawyer Lena Masri says she hopes Canton's decision "will serve as a model for other police departments throughout the state and the nation."
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People arrested by Canton police while wearing head coverings will no longer be forced to remove them while being booked, as long as the coverings are worn for religious reasons. The policy change, which became effective Tuesday, would also allow people wearing religious head coverings, such as hijabs, turbans or burkas, to continue wearing the coverings while they are detained in the Canton holding facility.
Canton Police Lt. Todd Mutchler said the change would affect a small number of those arrested in the township. "We feel it better positions our police to provide police services to the diverse community we serve," Mutchler said.
Under the policy, a suspect wearing such a covering would be asked whether it would be OK to remove the garment. If the person declined, officers would ask a series of questions to determine whether the covering was being worn for genuine religious reasons. If that is the case, the suspect would be allowed to continue wearing the covering. Mutchler said the booking photos would show the suspect as he or she appears in public.