Refusal To Shake Hands

**bayern** · 01-23-07, 12:23 PM

Sir Ian "questioned the validity of the request", Scotland Yard said
Scotland Yard says personal beliefs must not be put above police duties, after a constable refused to shake hands with Sir Ian Blair.
The Muslim woman officer refused to shake hands with the Metropolitan police chief on religious grounds.
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To our friends OCS (over choppy seas). What is your take on this?? Not to start a row, just what do ya'll think.

**nitestokker** · 01-23-07, 12:31 PM

Is Sir Ian Blair this lady cop's boss? Is he in her chain of command? If he is, I would say she made a bad career decision by passing on a chance to suck up to the boss. If he is not in her chain of command, I say it's her right to refuse being touched by anyone. Although I myself have a strong dislike for those of the Muslim faith, she still has a right to follow her heart. I would back her up if I was her boss.

But of course I would need more details before I stake my reputation on that decision. Kind of a choppy story.

**Jenna** · 01-23-07, 12:34 PM

At least it's better than refusing to shake his hand because he might have cooties!

**Dinosaur32** · 01-23-07, 12:53 PM

Sorry, Jenna, I don't believe religious beliefs have any place in following traditional protocol in LE jobs. If she will not shake hands with a superior officer how can she be expected to deal with male perps? This type of Muslim it's my way or no way idiocy must stop or all democracies will face ruin.

**zap** · 01-23-07, 12:58 PM

<shrug>

I refuse to shake hand on duty.... unless it is with another officer.

**Jenna** · 01-23-07, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by zap

<shrug>

I refuse to shake hand on duty.... unless it is with another officer.

Ah, so you think the rest of us all have cooties, huh?

**Big Al** · 01-23-07, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jenna

Ah, so you think the rest of us all have cooties, huh?

Ya never know,,, there are a lot of nasties out there and you may be one of them... How do I know? I don't usaully shake hands with people I deal with at work, unless like stated above, it is another LEO

**Willowdared** · 01-23-07, 02:06 PM

Did she at least salute?

**keith720** · 01-23-07, 02:13 PM

Her beiliefs state that she can't touch a man that's not her husband. How in the hell is she ever going to arrest anyone? Kick her butt out now!

**Abby** · 01-23-07, 02:26 PM

One would think this issue would have come up (and have been addressed) during her hiring process.

Cheech · 01-23-07, 02:34 PM

I usually dont shake hands on duty, I will on occasion but for safety and sanitary reasons! more so sanitary!

**nitestokker** · 01-23-07, 02:41 PM

I posted this before, but I once worked with a deputy who refused to be touched in any fashion by anyone while he was on duty, he also refused to be seen eating, drinking or smoking while on duty. He also insisted on going to the bathroom either at the office or at home. He would not go anywhere else. Wierd.

**resdepbrian** · 01-23-07, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by keith758

Her beiliefs state that she can't touch a man that's not her husband. How in the hell is she ever going to arrest anyone? Kick her butt out now!

I'm with you, in keeping with the Muslim traditions, does that mean she also must keep her face veiled and lower her head to avoid making eye contact every time a man other than her husband approaches? Lets see a show of hands for those of us that would want her as a backup.

**resdepbrian** · 01-23-07, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Tony

I usually dont shake hands on duty, I will on occasion but for safety and sanitary reasons! more so sanitary!

I only work maybe 60 days out of the year with our volunteer mounted unit, or as we call it here the Sheriff's Posse. But when it's 3AM and I am patrolling the fairgrounds and I get called to a disturbance involving the carnies who are getting drunk after the fair is closed for the night....theres no way I'm gonna shake hands with one of those dirt bags.

Having seen these people in action, I am always amazed by the people who put their trust and children's lives in the hands of these dregs by letting them go on the rides.

**rob84** · 01-23-07, 02:54 PM

I actually have never had a problem shaking an officers hand. Of course I was on interviews, and tests lol. I have shaken a few other officers hands on other occasions though.

**Trojan 42** · 01-23-07, 02:59 PM

There is already a thread on this, that I posted, along with the full newspaper report.

**nitestokker** · 01-23-07, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Trojan 42

There is already a thread on this, that I posted, along with the full newspaper report.

Well, maybe your thread was boring and maybe it just took a long time to get over the choppy seas to us. Or maybe we are just all short of memory. HUGS & KISSES, Trojan!