Excerpt:
Vancouver police have created their first policy to consider the culture and religion of people officers are searching.
The policy covers First Nation medicine bags, Muslim burqa, hijab, niqab or covering veils, Sikh turbans and kirpans, and Jewish phylactery or tefillin boxes.
"These items may pose unique considerations for members when balancing the need to ensure safety, enforce the law and conduct criminal investigations with preserving the person's dignity and respecting the sanctity of their culture," the policy said, adding that officers are to use their own discretion at each scene to ensure their safety.