From Beards to Bare: NYPD Reverts to Clean-Cut Policy
In a swift turnaround, the NYPD is retracting its beard allowance, reverting to a stricter, clean-shaven policy just four years after loosening regulations. The recent crackdown on untidy appearances prompted this decision, effective June 17, outlined in an internal memo titled "Facial Hair Policy.
This new directive encompasses all police officers, school safety agents, and traffic enforcement agents, underscoring the department's commitment to upholding professional standards. Notably, undercover officers and those with approved religious or medical exemptions remain exempt.
The relaxation of facial hair norms in 2020, following a legal settlement with Officer Masood Syed, highlighted tensions around constitutional rights. Officer Syed, a Sunni Muslim, challenged the previous rules, arguing their unconstitutionality after facing suspension for maintaining a beard longer than permitted.
The Police Benevolent Association underscored concerns over fairness in exemption adjudication, pointing to the complexities that led to the previous policy shift. With the reinstatement of the former rules, the union is vigilant in ensuring adherence to the terms of the 2018 settlement.
Medical exemptions, typically granted for conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae, allow for half-inch beards, whereas religious exemptions offer flexibility, permitting observant officers to request longer lengths. Mustaches and sideburns remain permissible, albeit with specific parameters to maintain a tidy appearance.
While Commissioner Edward Caban retains his neatly-trimmed goatee, courtesy of his civilian status, the order unequivocally prohibits chinstrap, designer beards, and goatees, reasserting the department's commitment to a uniform, polished aesthetic.
Reinstating Order: NYPD's Push for Professionalism Extends Beyond Facial Hair
Internal murmurs within the NYPD's upper ranks signal discontent with what they perceive as a lax attitude towards professionalism, akin to a casual Friday ethos that clashes with the department's paramilitary image. Reports emerged in April detailing plans to revamp the department's dress code, targeting attire deemed unsuitable for patrol duties.
The proposed changes, spearheaded by Inspector Paul Saraceno following a committee review, include bans on transit officers sporting shorts, patrol officers donning white turtlenecks and cargo pants, and a strict directive on the positioning of NYPD baseball caps—straight, not tilted.
Inspector Saraceno underscored the importance of professional presentation, emphasizing its correlation with overall conduct and performance. He maintained that adherence to high standards in appearance reflects a commitment to the profession's ethos.
The recent push for sartorial discipline extends beyond attire, with a ban on non-black shoelaces also included in the internal order. This meticulous attention to detail underscores the department's unwavering commitment to professionalism in every facet of its operations.
In conclusion, the NYPD's drive for professionalism encompasses not only grooming standards but also attire and overall presentation. This renewed focus on discipline and uniformity underscores the department's commitment to upholding its paramilitary image and fostering a culture of respect and integrity. As the department moves forward with these changes, it sends a clear message that every aspect of an officer's appearance and conduct matters, reflecting the values and standards of the organization as a whole.
