A.         Policy

The Lakewood Police Department has a reasonable interest in not offending or appearing unprofessional before the public it serves. Public confidence is enhanced when department members present a neat, clean, and professional appearance. The appearance of the police should reflect the values and expectations of the public they serve. The nature of law enforcement and the need for visibility in the basic police function requires a degree of uniformity. A neat and professional appearance inspires respect and generates cooperation from the public. Uniformity in appearance fosters esprit de corps within the department and establishes a positive image with the public. Additionally, the department is obligated to provide for its employees' personal safety.  

B.         Procedure 

1.         While on duty, all employees will be neat, clean, and well-groomed in their appearance.

2.         Supervisors will monitor employees reporting for duty to ensure conformity with appearance standards.

3.         The Chief of Police will determine employee appearance guidelines and rules. Additionally, the chief may appoint their designee and/or a Chain of Command Review Board to examine applicability or conformance to these standards.

4.         For this policy and procedure, acceptable tattoos, branding, and intentional scars are defined as those not morally objectionable, racially oriented, profane, or sexually explicit, as determined by the Chief of Police.  

C.         Rule 

1.         No employee shall have body art on the head, face, neck, or scalp. However, cosmetic tattooing may be permitted on a case-by-case basis by the employee's Chain of Command. 

2.         Employees shall complete a memorandum describing the marking and location, accompanied by photographic documentation for all existing and any new tattoos, brandings, or intentional scars they want to display. The Chief of Police must approve other visible tattoos, brandings, and intentional scars through the Chain of Command Review Board before it is placed on the employee’s body.

3.         No employee shall have a tattoo that demonstrates allegiance or attitudes that may give reason to doubt the employee's ability to deliver a service based on fairness, impartiality, and equality. Examples of prohibited tattoos include, but are not limited to, the following:

a.         Tattoos that display racist, violent, discriminatory, profane, sexually explicit, or patently offensive words or illustrations or,

b.         Tattoos that depict symbols used by hate groups, criminal gangs, or political groups. 

4.         All facial and tongue jewelry are prohibited on duty except as set forth herein. Uniformed female agents may wear post-earrings of small studs or stones for pierced or non-pierced ears, up to three per ear. Ear gauges and ear stretching plugs larger than a 0 gauge (8mm or 5/16" in diameter) are prohibited. Plugs must be solid with no tunnels and be flesh colored. Non-uniformed female agents and civilian female employees may wear up to three earrings per ear as long as they maintain a professional appearance. Male employees are prohibited from wearing earrings or other facial jewelry while on duty. All other jewelry shall be in good taste and not jeopardize safety.  

5.         Using gold, platinum, or other unnatural tooth veneers or caps for ornamentation is prohibited. Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneer, shall not be ornamented with such things as designs, jewels, initials, or other items.  

6.         Extreme or eccentric haircuts or hairstyles are not authorized for any employee. If department members use dyes, tints, or bleach, they must choose a natural hair color. In addition, colors that detract from a professional appearance are prohibited. Therefore, department members must avoid using colors that result in an extreme appearance.

7.         Sworn and/or uniformed male employee's hair must be neat, clean, and styled to present a groomed appearance and shall not exceed the shirt collar in length. Sideburns must not extend below the bottom of the ear or cover any part of the ear and will present a well-groomed and professional appearance. Mustaches must be trimmed to not wider than a 1/2 inch beyond the corners of the mouth and shall not extend vertically beyond the jawline. In addition, mustaches shall not be curled at the ends or extended over the upper lip.

8.         Facial Hair: the length of the permissible beard shall be 1/4 inch, always kept neatly trimmed. Beards: will be trimmed along the neck and throat, and cheekbone. Goatees: The length of the permissible goatee shall be ¼ inch and always be kept neatly trimmed. Goatees will be trimmed to no more than one inch below the cheekbone or chin and no wider than ½ inch from the corners of the mouth. Agents/officers shall not be in a constant state of facial hair growth; as such, the agent/officer shall notify their supervisor, in writing, that the agent/officer intends to grow a beard or goatee at least three days in advance and not so frequent as to not allow for full growth. The agent/officer will attempt to begin the growth of facial hair on their first regularly scheduled day off.

This policy will forbid thin-line beards which cover only the jawline and will require beards to cover the area below the cheekbone. This policy will also prohibit facial hair grown exclusively below the lower lip. Goatees will require a full mustache and full chin facial hair connected. Supervisors shall monitor the professional appearance of all facial hair and notify agents/officers to clean up or adjust the look to fit policy before mandating complete removal. A supervisor will order a beard or goatee shaved if he or she still feels that a beard or goatee does not meet the guidelines outlined in this policy. If an agent/officer has been ordered to remove their facial hair due to a violation of guidelines, that agent/officer shall wait a minimum of 3 months from that date before submitting a notice of intent to grow facial hair and shall remain cleanly shaven on duty during that period. It will be the agent/officer's responsibility to ensure they can grow an acceptable beard or goatee before giving notice of intent. If an agent/officer has been ordered to remove their facial hair because he is not adhering to this policy and/or has failed to grow an acceptable beard or goatee after their first demand for removal, restrictions will be imposed.

9.         Sworn and/or uniformed female employees’ hair must be neatly groomed.  In addition, female uniformed agents' hair that exceeds the shoulder in length must be secured back and away from the face.

10.       Agents assigned to special assignments may be authorized to dress and grow facial hair based on their assignment's needs and at their supervisor's direction.