A landmark achievement for police diversity has been thrown into uncertainty as Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado demands the removal of Constable Kenrick Bol’s dreadlocks, just weeks after he became the first male officer authorized to wear the traditional hairstyle on duty. This development reignites a longstanding cultural conflict within the police force, echoing similar controversies from 2019 when multiple female officers faced disciplinary action over their natural hairstyles.
The previous confrontation culminated in a significant constitutional ruling that established regional precedent by siding with the officers. Notably, the legal representative who successfully argued that landmark case was Anthony Sylvestre, who now serves as Attorney General. This creates a complex jurisdictional dynamic as the current administration confronts what appears to be an identical constitutional challenge.
When questioned about his position on the renewed controversy, Attorney General Sylvestre maintained that his office has not yet received any formal request for legal guidance regarding Constable Bol’s situation. He referenced his previous successful defense in the Shantel Berry case, noting that the court had determined the police regulations themselves were not inherently discriminatory. However, he emphasized that discrimination assessments are “fact sensitive” and require examination of specific circumstances before determinations can be made.
The situation presents a constitutional test of cultural expression versus institutional regulations, with implications for diversity and inclusion policies within law enforcement organizations across the region.