Minority groups in Finland want to see rules regarding police uniforms changed to allow officers to wear religious head coverings; however, Finland is unlikely to follow Sweden and accept the proposal.
During an interview to join a training school for the Finnish police, a Muslim woman was quizzed on what her thoughts would be if she was told to remove her headscarf during working hours. She replied by saying that she felt some kind of negotiating should take place so that a suitable headscarf could be worn with the uniform.
However, the interviewer did not agree that this was possible, and the 38-year-old applicant didn’t get accepted into the school. She explained recently that she had always dreamt of joining the police force, but she has now given up on that dream as the scarf is her identity and religion, which she will not give up at work.
The woman feels this “important” matter needs to be discussed, although she does not want to be the public speaker. She revealed that the rejection hit her so hard that she thought about leaving Finland. She also noted that Sweden sets a good example in allowing religious headwear to be part of uniforms.
The Swedish police’s Carolina Ekeus said headscarves, turbans and Jewish kippahs were allowed as part of the uniform in Sweden because they don’t want people opting not to join the police because of their backgrounds. She added that it was an “equality measure”.
The rejected Muslim applicant insisted that Muslim women would be an important addition to the Finnish police, giving the example that she could solve problems some immigrants were faced with that other police officers could not. She added that she could also train other officers on issues surrounding religion and culture.
However, Interior Minister Paivi Rasanan said the current regulations are “workable” and does not want to see changes. He noted that it is important to represent official power, not religious convictions. He explained that if police have to respond to an emergency callout which involves people with different ideological backgrounds in conflict with one and other, the current uniform demonstrates complete impartiality.
Rasanan said that he was certain people who really wanted to join the force could take off the scarf while on business, adding that anyone who feels discriminated against should make an official complaint.