219-2 personal appearance standards

Facial Hair

• A portion of the beard must not be exceptionally longer than the rest.
• Facial hair can be designed with shaved patterns, braids, bows, or other objects.
• Intentionally colored facial hair to contrast with scalp hair is allowed.
• Respirators will not be worn if facial hair interferes with the seal or valve function.
• Members with beards must shave the area that comes into contact with the respirator seal when mobilized or likely to use a respirator.

Shave Orders

• A commander can give a shave order when a member is likely to enter a situation requiring a protective respirator.
• Members must have a functional blade shaving razor at their assigned workplace.
• When a clean shave order is given, members must shave their facial hair clean promptly.

Fingernails

• Sworn members identifying as female:
  • Hair must not be longer than the horizontal level of the uniform shoulder while assuming a normal stance.
  • Hair must be worn up or in a tightly wrapped braid, bun, or ponytail.
  • Only navy blue or black accessories are permitted.
• Sworn members in undercover assignments may deviate from these rules with approval from the appropriate bureau commander.
• Members with facial hair exceeding ¼ inch will be subject to disciplinary action while on-duty.

Hairstyles

• Hairstyles must be neat and professional in appearance.
• Hairstyles must not interfere with equipment or create officer safety concerns.
• Hair must be of a natural color.
• Sworn members identifying as male:
  • Hair must not extend below the top edge of the uniform collar while assuming a normal stance.
  • No alternative hairstyles are permitted (e.g., "ponytail," "bun," "skullet," "mohawk," etc.).

Jewelry

• Jewelry must present a professional image and not create a safety concern.
• Jewelry that depicts racial, sexual, discriminatory, gang-related, or obscene language is not allowed.
• Necklaces will not be visible above the shirt collar.
• One ring or ring set may be worn on each hand.
• No ring(s) should be of the type that would cut or pose an unreasonable safety risk to the member or others during a physical altercation.

Tattoos

• Tattoos will not be visible if they are profane, offensive, or suggestive.
• Visible tattoos above the uniform collar and on the face are prohibited.
• Sworn members with pre-existing visible tattoos above the uniform collar but not on the face will be allowed.
• After the effective date of this policy, newly hired members and current members are prohibited from obtaining additional visible tattoos above the uniform collar or on the face.

Body Piercing or Alteration

• Body piercing or alteration to any area of the body that is visible in any authorized uniform/attire, or visible outside of clothing, and is a deviation from normal anatomical features and that is not medically required is prohibited.
• Examples of prohibited body alterations include tongue splitting or piercing, complete or transdermal implantation of any material other than hair replacement or breast augmentation, abnormal shaping of the ears, eyes, nose, or teeth, and decorative tooth plating/engraving (unless medically necessary).