Police Officers with Facial Hair
- Thread starter 911
- Start date
Gemma
SF VIP
Agree. I like to see the face when dealing with them. Sometimes when men shave, they look totally different.
Tattoo's permitted only if out of sight when in uniform. One Corporal had an awesome eagle tat on his upper arm, which could not be seen while in a short sleeved dress shirt. He served in Iraq, so the tat had meaning to him.
Tattoo's permitted only if out of sight when in uniform. One Corporal had an awesome eagle tat on his upper arm, which could not be seen while in a short sleeved dress shirt. He served in Iraq, so the tat had meaning to him.
CallMeKate
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic US
If well trimmed and short, I wouldn't have a problem with seeing it. I suspect there are reasons for the rules... maybe it would interfere with some of the equipment needed at times? Wasn't there a stink a few months ago about a Sikh officer who wasn't allowed to have a beard? New York... or maybe California? Anyhow, neatly trimmed if it wouldn't get in the way of things like riot gear, maybe.
Trish
VIP OAP
I can't really see how it would make any difference to their ability to do a good job or not so, I think, they should be free to make their own choice. I am assuming we are talking about tidy facial hair and not a straggly, wild beard harbouring the contents of their breakfast type thing. 
Nathan
SF VIP
- Location
- High Desert- Calif.
I'm not used to seeing officers with facial hair, I worked for the Sheriff's Dept for 26 years, male employees(deputies and professional staff) could only have a mustache, and sideburns to the middle of the ear canal. When I worked CDCR there were a few correctional officers that had beards, but I believe they had to be closely trimmed. The "Free Staff"(as they called us) had no grooming regulations, and we didn't wear uniforms.
jimintoronto
Well-known Member
Canadian Police and Military members wear beards as a regular daily look. Obviously our Sikh Police officers and military members wear their signs of religious faith, including their uncut hair and beards, turbans, steel bracelet, and Kirpan. Link.
photos of canadian shikh Police officers in uniform - Bing JImB.
photos of canadian shikh Police officers in uniform - Bing JImB.
Warrigal
SF VIP
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
I thought of Sikh men too. They are excellent employees and to refuse them because of a beard and/or a turban would be a mistake IMO.
Nathan
SF VIP
- Location
- High Desert- Calif.
We were always told that facial hair would interfere with the proper fit of various breathing apparatus masks for fire fighting and airborne biohazards.
Warrigal
SF VIP
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
I've found a photo of a Sikh police officer in the London Met. I reckon he looks just great.
Gardenlover
The world needs more love
Depending on the length of the beard it might become a safety issue if the officer is fighting with a suspect. Much the same reason that police officers wear clip on ties.
Lilac
Well-known Member
- Location
- Flyover Country
My husband, who wore both gas masks & air packs as a deputy, needed to have a complete seal around his face. Beards don't allow for that, but mustaches don't interfere.
Any officer on the street with a beard may want to reconsider it because you don't know when you'll have to put a mask on. Sometimes there is no warning when the SHTF.
I was told by one Chief that his department, as well as some others, decided to relax their no-beard standard due to the lack of people applying for the job.
Any officer on the street with a beard may want to reconsider it because you don't know when you'll have to put a mask on. Sometimes there is no warning when the SHTF.
I was told by one Chief that his department, as well as some others, decided to relax their no-beard standard due to the lack of people applying for the job.
They look very good, as if they would be very professional.
Yes, this is why the state police prohibit the wearing of facial hair and the same goes for some airline crews in the cockpit. We have also been told they want their men looking more like military men and professionals. It’s also an old tradition.
I tried growing a mustache once and my wife hated it. We were on a 2 week vacation out west and I didn’t shave for the 2 weeks. My beard grows fairly fast. She really didn’t like it and I got tired of hearing about it so, I shaved it off and never tried it again.
I should add that I also keep my hair cut short. Never over the collar. I don’t like wearing long hair or thick hair. I get my hair cut every 3 weeks and get the barber, who is a female, in a barber shop, not a styling salon, like some men use, and she will thin my hair and trim it tight around the ears. My wife shaves my neck once a week. Even after retirement from the state police, I like my neck shaved.
I taught her how to use my dad’s old straight razor, which I won’t use on my face, but it does a great job on the neck. I have a friend that uses an electric razor on his neck, but it’s not close enough for me.
I taught her how to use my dad’s old straight razor, which I won’t use on my face, but it does a great job on the neck. I have a friend that uses an electric razor on his neck, but it’s not close enough for me.
They look like fine officers, would welcome them in my state.
jimintoronto
Well-known Member
OK how do you feel about female Police officers having long hair ? JimB.
Gardenlover
The world needs more love
It's not a matter of how I feel. Can long hair be used against you in a street fight?
Lilac
Well-known Member
- Location
- Flyover Country
Our rule at the department was that women with long hair had to have it put up in a bun or in some manner that it was out of the way. It didn't matter if you were sworn or civilian.
I had heard a long time ago that short hair for men was started by the Roman Empire just for that reason in battles. It makes sense.
I had heard a long time ago that short hair for men was started by the Roman Empire just for that reason in battles. It makes sense.
Nathan
SF VIP
- Location
- High Desert- Calif.
I keep my hair short for a couple reasons, I'm just used to the way I Iook, long hair would not be me. Plus, short hair is easier to manage, as my head hair texture has always been thin. I go to a barber shop about once a month, around the time we take the dogs to the groomer.
Edit: Facial hair- When I retired I retired from dragging a razor blade across my face! I keep my beard short, I trim it to a short "scruff" every week, helps to disguise the spider veins, makes me look contemporary, Lol.
Edit: Facial hair- When I retired I retired from dragging a razor blade across my face! I keep my beard short, I trim it to a short "scruff" every week, helps to disguise the spider veins, makes me look contemporary, Lol.
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jimintoronto
Well-known Member
I was asking you to be consistent . If you think long hair is bad, say so. I will point out to you that Sikh police officers have long hair UNDER their turbans, and their beards are rolled and secured with a chin net. JImB.