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Does the look of the person in uniform make a difference to you or the public?
Today I discuss the trend in law enforcement away from the clean cut look of Adam 12 toward beards, goatees and tatts. Should an officer be allowed to sport a full beard? How about full sleeve tattoos? Does it make a difference? Should it?
Sound off in the comments section. What do you think is a professional appearance?
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The Changing Face of Law Enforcement - BlueSheepdog Podcast 36 [ 16:42 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadRelated posts:
I think beards could be done as long as they’re kept short trimmed, and the same goes for goatees. There are plenty of guys in society sporting both, and if done properly they can appear professional. Personally I don’t like either for uniform cops, but then again I haven’t had to weather a blizzard in North Dakota either.
Tattoos should be kept behind the uniform. Although becoming more popular presently, tattoos too often have a negative image associated with them. I know there is a lot of tasteful art work out there, but watch a child’s reaction to someone with a full sleeve of tats on. They’re not jumping up and down to meet them. Officers always need to appear approachable by citizens.
Same goes for excessive or unusual body piercings. The public doesn’t need to get an interpreter because the officer just got a tongue stud. And it does not look good for the profession if the officer’s nose, eyebrows, and ears are full of multiple rings and studs.
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On officer appearance.
I’m only a few years younger than you. At 38 years old I’ve always had a goatee but I’ve only had a tattoo for about 3 years. It’s on my back and no one knows that I have one unless I tell them. Many people just slightly younger than I am have more visible tattoos and other body modifications that are much more visible than mine. By taking some care in their appearance they fit in just as well in society as I do. I do not consider facial hair and tattoos to be less professional than the Adam 12 look of old. Many younger people in society think that the Adam 12 look is only for military wannabes. I think that officers should be well groomed, with obvious care for their appearance.
On the other side, many older members of society are not going to be happy with an officer that has a younger look than they are used to. As always, the officer on the street is caught between a rock and a hard place that only professional behavior and amazing amounts of patience can overcome.
Personally, I think that uniformed officers should be allowed to wear a mustache but no beards or goatees. Piercings and tattoos can be permitted as long as they are not visible to the public, or with the case of tattoos, are not covering a large visible area. You don’t want little kids and grandmothers to be afraid to approach law officers. I find it strange though, that this is even a matter of discussion. In my experience (retired after 30 years in law enforcement) the majority who are drawn to police work are not your average, tatted, pierced out grunge type, but are more likely to be conservative with a military bearing and appearance. Looking back at old photos of my department from the 40′s and it is amazing that even to this day our officers continue to have the same general appearance and standards over the years. It’s part of the tradition of law enforcement. The tattooed and pierced crowd are generally drawn to groups like Occupy Wall Street and not police work.
30 years ago when I was a State Trooper we wore high-n-tights and were clean shaven. That was the grooming standard. Tattoos could only be of “a patriotic or military style” if visible when in uniform and no “outlandish” locations such as the neck, face or hands were permitted. Obviously things have changed in the world. In the FBI personal grooming standards are simply described as business formal with no visible tattoos of an illegal (pot leaf, etc) or vulgar nature. I’ve had a full (trimmed) beard, goatee, moustache and a pony tail through the years depending on assignment. My personal view is that in uniform you should look very clean-cut and sharp. Military grooming standards are still the bench-mark when in uniform. Uniformed police work is paramilitary in nature by definition, so the standards should also follow the same line. Detectives, investigators and “the suits” should follow a suitable grooming standard and of course UC’s and plain-clothes details should look and dress for the part they play. Like it or not-we are all judged by our appearance every day and it reflects on everyone behind a badge. Stay safe out there./
My input starts and stops with one thing: an officer should not appear bias. Tats covered. Maybe some beards do make people look like evil rabbis from old stories, but that sir, is in the eyes of the beholder.
I am of the mind that facial hair should be limited to a mustache and nothing more. Goatees and beards don’t have a place in patrol, but are for special assignments. I am still in the majority of officers in my department that do not have facial hair, but it’s hard to remind the guys of the uniform and grooming standard when the chief sports a goatee.
As for tattoos, even though facial hair is pretty common place, I personally feel that tattoos are more acceptable. I’m not sure why I feel like this but I do. I have a couple that are visible in the quarter sleeve uniform shirt and worked with guys who had full sleeve tattoos. They didn’t have a problem with anyone they dealt with, and in some cases were able to start a rapport with younger subjects on the street because of them. I would draw the line at the following: anything of a “controversial” design (drug related, racist, showing nudity or profanity) or tattoos on the hands, face or neck. If you have them on your legs, then unfortunately you don’t get the assignment to bike patrol or marine units, where shorts may be part of the uniform.
Any other body modifications are not permissible in uniform in my opinion. Unless you’re a woman, no earrings (and then they should be small studs only, no giant hoops or other danglies), no facial piercings, no dermal implants, etc. That is definitely not a professional appearance, no matter how you cut it.
These are just my opinions, from a 38 year old lieutenant in a small, small department. Keep up the great podcasting Richard, and stay safe everyone.