Leicestershire's chief constable to consider letting Muslim officers wear burkas

Leicestershire, England (IINA) - Leicestershire Police's Chief Constable Simon Cole said he was open to allowing the traditional Islamic dress (burka) to become part of the female officers' uniform.
On Thursday, Cole said: 'We have been made aware of discussions in other police forces regarding incorporating burkas into police uniform. 'It is not something that Leicestershire police has been asked to consider by an officer or a potential recruit, Mail Online news. 'If such a request was made, it would be considered in line with the requirements of policing, and the need to ensure officers have uniform that is fit for purpose.' 
He was supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach who said he would be 'sympathetic' to the idea of the garment, which covers the face and body. It came after West Midlands Police said it was considering employing staff who wear a burka as the force looks to increase the number of black and ethnic minority officers.
However, Colin comments attracted criticism from public figures in Leicestershire, with some saying speaking to an officer 'behind a mask' would not be the same as face-to-face contact. President of the Leicester Secular Society Gush Bhumbra, said: “If I've been the victim of a crime or an accident and an officer behind a mask would not do that for me as much as normal face-to-face contact”
On the other side, Spokesman for the Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organizations Suleman Nagdi said common sense was needed when considering the proposal. He added: “I'm not convinced whether it would work well with the kind of job we're talking about. Identification is crucial and this would cause difficulties for members of the public.” “Of course, I welcome the fact it is being considered. But I'm also trying to be practical,” he noted.
A spokeswoman for Leicestershire police said there had been no requests by staff to add the veil to their uniform. The acting Chairman of the force's Association of Muslim Officers, the official body that represents Leicestershire's Muslim police, said he was not in a position to comment.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable David Thompson was blasted earlier this month after he refused to rule out allowing female recruits to wear the burkas.
He said his force would have to consider any requests to wear the burka, which covers both the face and body, and the full-face niqab, which leaves the eye area clear.
The decision was met with outrage from MPs and public figures and was even slammed as a bad idea by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).
West Midlands Police has already approved hijab-wearing officers and currently allows Sikhs to replace their helmet with a turban.
The hijab, which cover the head and neck but leaving the face clear was approved after being requested by a number of Muslim women.
The Metropolitan police introduced it a decade ago and the hijab is now successfully integrated into several forces across the UK most recently in Scotland. Currently no serving officers wear the burka.