Orthodox Jewish Vegas cop settles with department over beard, yarmulke dispute

Las Vegas, USA - An Orthodox Jewish police detective will receive a $350,000 settlement from the city police department after he was prohibited from having a beard and wearing a yarmulke.

Liesl Freedman, the department's attorney, said Monday that plainclothes Detective Steve Riback will be allowed a neatly trimmed beard no longer than one-quarter inch. Riback will also be allowed to wear a baseball hat without a logo or with the department's logo, Freedman said.

Under the settlement, Riback, who had sued over the policy, agreed not to seek a promotion or transfer for at least two years. If Riback transfers in the future to a section that doesn't allow hats or beards, he will have to file a new religious accommodation request, Freedman said.