Meet new Hassidic policewoman Officer Bayle

For the first time ever, a Hassidic woman has graduated from the Police Academy (no, not the movie) and has been hired as a police officer.

Bayle Glauber has requested Shabbos off, and the police have agreed, after having consulted with the Town Attorney, though in case of emergency they told her they will call her just like any other policeman.

"He said Glauber is the town's first ultra-Orthodox Jewish officer and her request for religious days off is the first he's come across in 25 years with the town. The county's other Hasidic officer, Shlomo Koenig, is a detective for the Rockland Sheriff's Department, but did not work the Sabbath when he started.

Klein said Glauber's schedule is temporary and contingent on his research of the constitutional issues. He said there were court cases involving employers respecting a person's religious rights, including issues of working on the Sabbath.

He said the town was also seeking an opinion from the state Attorney General's Office.

"We have to balance her religious rights with the job of a police officer to respond at all times," Klein said. "We'll be researching the issue and reporting back to the town and police department."

The Ramapo Police Commission, which comprises the Town Board, will discuss the issue, along with the PBA, Klein said.

Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence, who supported Glauber's hiring, said he had no problems with her work schedule. He said he had no problem making reasonable accommodations for people based on their religious beliefs."