Police patrolling the facial fuzz
Policemen are going on holiday to grow beards.
Despite an easing of regulations in recent years, cops are still taking time off to cultivate the look.
For years, strict in-house grooming rules kept the folliclebased fad off the beat. But it’s 2017, and self-expression is more important than ever.
‘‘The attitude towards facial hair of police employees has relaxed somewhat in recent years,’’ said Superintendent Chris Scahill, police response and operations national manager.
‘‘It is much more important that staff look tidy, presentable and approachable than their hair and facial hair is of a prescriptive length.’’
However, the current personal grooming guideline says police officers should be clean shaven. Any beards or moustaches must be neat and tidy. But here’s the kicker. ‘‘In the interests of a professional look, employees should only grow beards and moustaches when on leave,’’ the directive said.
Scahill said the guideline was exactly that, rather than a hard and fast rule. Public attitudes to selfexpression through hairstyles, tattoos and facial hair had changed dramatically over the years.
One such self-expressive boy in blue is Inspector Mal Schwartfeger, national operations manager for the police communications centre, who can grow a beard in just a few days.
‘‘There have been no restrictions on me growing a beard at all,’’ he said. ‘‘As long as an officer looks clean and tidy, there shouldn’t be any issues at all.’’
Other uniformed professions share similar facial restrictions.
Naval seamen can grow neat and tidy beards on request. However, moustaches are a no-no, unless they accompany a beard.
Conversely, army and air force personnel are not allowed beards, but moustaches and sideburns are permitted ‘‘provided they are neatly trimmed and do not exceed a certain length’’.