BLET Academy (Basic Law Enforcement Training) Appearance Requirements
The Academy does not allow any facial hair or jewelry except for a single wedding band. No watches or bracelets are authorized. Tattoos must be authorized prior to being displayed.
Appearance Requirements after graduating BLET
A. Hair Styles
All uniformed employees and investigators that do not work in an undercover status shall conform to the following standards of appearance:
1. All employees will keep their hairstyles in a manner to present a professional appearance, and that does not present a safety hazard to themselves or others. Hair will be kept above the collar. At least the lower half of the ears will be exposed, and the hair will not show on the forehead under the uniform cap. In all cases, the bulk or length of the hair shall not interfere with the normal wearing of the uniform hat, or prevent the proper wear and seal of required safety equipment, to include respiratory devices. Hair color and styles must be in keeping with a professional image.
2. In both uniform and plain clothes, wigs or hairpieces are acceptable as long as they meet the prescribed requirements for hair.
3. Exceptions are those employees that are on special assignments where their dress and hairstyle must conform to the nature of their assignment and employees who wear head gear necessary for the performance of their duties.
4. Fingernails shall be maintained at a length that does not interfere with the operation of a firearm or the performance of duty.
5. The Chief of Police or designee shall have final say on whether a hairstyle complies with these standards.
B. Facial Hair
1. Employees are permitted to wear facial hair that is maintained at a length and pattern so as not to distract from the officer’s professional appearance. Facial hair shall be neat, trimmed, and maintained at a length not to exceed ¼ of an inch (6mm). Beards must be trimmed and shall not be permitted below the Adam’s apple or neck.
2. Beards, goatees and/or mustaches will not give the appearance of being unkempt in appearance. Facial hair color must be in keeping with a professional image.
3. Employees that require the use of undercover operations are not bound to the maximum facial hair length of ¼ of an inch (6mm). If an employee in an undercover status works any secondary employment, or any type of detail where a Class A or B uniform is worn, then that employee must adhere to the facial hair length requirement of ¼ of an inch (6mm).
4. In the event of a civil emergency or standby status where there is a possibility of gas deployment officers shall report clean shaven as to ensure that personal issued gas mask or respirators fits properly and is capable of getting an effective seal.
5. Employees that have the necessary medical documentation signed by an authorized medical provider are permitted to have facial hair that extends past the Adam’s apple or on the neck. This documentation must be provided to the employee’s immediate supervisor and a copy provided to the Internal Affairs Unit so a copy can be maintained in the employee’s personnel file.
6. The Chief of Police or his/her designee shall have final say on whether facial hair complies with these standards.
C. Jewelry and Accessories
All sworn and non-sworn employees in uniform are prohibited from attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, ornamentation, or jewelry other than that which is covered in this policy, through any part of the head, ears, face, nose, tongue, or any visible part of the body while on duty, working off duty or while representing the FPD in uniform or civilian attire.
1. Earrings may be no larger than 12 mm.
2. All sworn officers and non-sworn employees in uniform are prohibited from wearing more than two pair of earrings. Earrings may only be worn on the earlobe, the soft lower portion of the ear.
3. Sworn employees in uniform or plainclothes, and non-sworn employees in uniform may not wear hoops or dangling-style earrings.
4. All sworn officers and non-sworn employees in uniform may only wear one watch and one bracelet at one time and only one wedding band set per hand. Watches should be gold, silver or black in color and not of an excessive size as to present less than a professional image of the officer while in uniform. Employees in uniform should not wear more than one ring on each hand while in uniform. Jewelry should be worn in a manner that does not interfere with the performance of duty.
D. Tattoos
Tattoos are authorized to be visible on the arms and legs of all sworn and non-sworn employees.
1. The following types of tattoos are prohibited:
a. Extremist: Extremist tattoos are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing, extremist philosophies, or organizations or activities.
b. Indecent or Derogatory: Indecent or derogatory tattoos are those that are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, or professionalism. Tattoos depicting any type of nudity are considered to be indecent.
c. Sexist: Sexist tattoos are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender.
d. Racist: Racist tattoos are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity, or national origin.
e. Tattoos on the head, face, neck, and hands (below the wrist bone) are PROHIBITED. The only exception to this section is that an employee may have one ring tattoo on each hand, below the joint of the bottom segment (portion closest to the palm) of the finger. This section also applies to units working in an undercover status.
f. Any tattoos obtained prior to the implementation of this policy that does not violate letters a-e shall be grandfathered. Tattoos on the hands that are of cultural or religious significance must be approved by the Chief of Police on a case by case basis.
g. Body modifications that are visible while in uniform are PROHIBITED. Body modifications such as horns or split tongues are PROHIBITED.
2. If at any point a tattoo is deemed in violation of this policy then the employee may be required to cover the tattoo pending the result of an internal investigation. Depending on the nature of the tattoo, an employee could be disciplined up to and including dismissal for violating this policy.
3. Employees who wish to display their tattoos while on duty must complete POL-768 Tattoo Approval Request Form located in Police Shares and PowerDMS. Completed forms will be forwarded to the Tattoo Review Committee for review.
4. The Tattoo Review Committee shall be comprised of the following personnel appointed by the Chief of Police: a. Lieutenant or Sergeant b. Police Officer c. Non-sworn Employee d. Representative from Human Resources Department
5. The Tattoo Review Committee shall make recommendations on POL-769 Tattoo Committee Approval Form (located in Police Shares and in PowerDMS), and forward responses to the Chief of Police who shall make the final determination as to whether the tattoo may be uncovered. The employee will be notified of the final determination by the Office of Professional Standards, and a copy of the Tattoo Registration Request will be placed in the employee’s personnel file.
6. The Chief of Police may determine if revocation of a previous tattoo registration request(s) is appropriate to conform with evolving community standards, attitudes, or beliefs. Revocation will be noted on the original Tattoo Registration Request form and placed in the employee’s personnel file. The Office of Professional Standards will notify the employee of the revocation.
7. Employees shall immediately cover a tattoo upon direct order from the Chief of Police.
8. Employees must submit an additional Tattoo Registration Request form for any proposed and/or existing tattoos that were not previously approved.
