City law enforcement officers can’t have tattoos, grow beards

YOU can’t be a law enforcement officer in Cape Town with a beard, funky moustache or visible tattoos.

In the wake of a Muslim member of the SANDF facing disciplinary action for wearing her headscarf, a directive has been circulated to City of Cape Town law enforcement officers, reminding them that they are governed by strict grooming rules.

Officers are not permitted to have beards, their hair may not be below the collar of their uniforms, and they can’t have any visible tattoos.

The City’s Richard Bosman, executive director for Safety and Security, said: “Long beards can place officers at a disadvantage when executing arrests and they become involved in physical confrontations with suspects.

But the main reason, it seems, is “professionalism” and “commanding the necessary respect”, via the directive.

“We expect staff to be neat and tidy at all times as a standard for uniform services worldwide,” Bosman said.

“They are the image of the City and they must adhere to City standards as employees.”

One officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “I’m worried that my senior officers might use this as an excuse to harass me – and I think that officers who have religious or cultural requirements for their hair might be afraid to speak out and ask for permission in case they have to choose between their jobs and their beliefs, fearing that maybe their senior officers don’t agree with the belief.”

According to Directive 1/03/2017, as signed by Chief of Law Enforcement Services, Rudolf Wiltshire, officers must comply with rules governing the style of their facial hair.

“Faces must be clean-shaven but moustaches are allowed if neatly trimmed and it must be cut so as to follow the line of the upper lip,” the directive says.

“The moustache may not extend over the upper lip or extend sideward or downward beyond the corners of the mouth and it may not curl upward.”

While officers may get away with a small, standard moustache, the leniency ends there.

“Beards as a rule are not allowed,” the document states.

“Any deviation from this rule will only be considered upon application to the Chief of Law Enforcement.”

If an officer wants to grow a beard, he must apply in writing with a motivation as well as approval from his line manager.

If it’s for medical reasons, he’ll also need a letter from a dermatologist.

Bosman said “not more than 10” of these applications have been approved. When they are approved, strict restrictions apply.

“Beards if approved must be neat and the length of the facial hair shall not exceed a centimetre in length.

“The neck area must be free of hair,” he said.

Bosman said if an officer wants to grow a beard longer than 1cm for religious or cultural reasons, this will be considered in a written application.

Applications are reviewed every year.

No officers can be seen with tattoos while on duty, according to the directive.

“Tattoos are not allowed to be visible when on duty and must be covered in an acceptable manner.

“Material used to cover the tattoo must be of a similar colour to the uniform.” Bosman said it was because of negative perceptions around tattoos.

“Tattoos can have a negative connotation in terms of some people’s perceptions so we encourage officers to cover up,” he said.

“They are the image of the City and must adhere to City standards Richard Bosman CITY OF CAPE TOWN

RICHARD BOSMAN