Source: The Sikh Coalition
On March 4, 2003 The Sikh Coalition reported that "The Sikh Coalition and Amric Singh (Rathour) filed a federal lawsuit challenging the New York Police Department's (NYPD) "no turban" policy. Amric Singh was terminated by the NYPD in August 2001 for refusing orders to remove his turban and trim his beard, both required by his religion... A contingent of Sikh police officers from Canada and Great Britain joined Amric Singh at the press conference. The Sikh officers stressed that the turban did not impede their ability to perform their duties. Sikhs have served as police officers in Great Britain and Canada for decades. Amric Singh was also joined today by religious leaders from the Christian, Muslim and Buddhist faiths. The leaders stated their concern that Amric Singh was unfairly being discriminated against on the basis of his religion."