First Bearded Washington State Trooper
Trooper Nomani is the first Washington State Trooper to wear facial hair, thanks to a religious exemption granted to him in 2022.
Trooper Alishan Nomani (pictured, with Inka) has been a Washington State Trooper since 2008. In the Washington State Patrol, unlike other branches of law enforcement, all officers must be clean-shaven. This strict dress code rule relates to fitting of gas masks, in the unlikely event that troopers need to wear gas masks. Trooper Nomani first filed for a religious accommodation in order to grow a beard in (2019), and again in (2021). Both times, his request was denied.
Then Trooper Nomani got in touch with CAIR-WA. Our legal team helped him draft an email and build the confidence to file another request. With the backing of CAIR-WA, he was able to come to an agreement with his employers, the Washington State Patrol, and is now the first Washington State Trooper in history to wear facial hair.
For Muslim men, wearing a beard is, while not obligatory, a cultural sign of devoutness and participation in religion. For Trooper Nomani, it is an important way for him to make his faith visible.