Source: The New York Times

On July 4, 1999, The New York Times reported that Christopher M. Letz, a six-year veteran of the New York State Park Police, was suspended on June 22nd, 1999 for insubordination because he grew a goatee, which is against department regulations. Letz, who grew the goatee to comply with Muslim teachings, was inspired by a March 1999 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals that blocked the dismissal of two Muslim police officers in Newark, New Jersey for growing beards for religious reasons. Though Officer Letz is not in favor of escalating the situation, he is considering hiring a lawyer and getting the New York Civil Liberties Union involved.