GO 2-12.1 Personal Appearance.pdf

OVIEDO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 02-10-2022 APPROVAL: NUMBER: Dale Coleman Chief of Police GO 2-12.1 REFERENCE: Personal Appearance AMENDS: GO 2-12.0 RESCINDS: None I. II. III. IV. PURPOSE POLICY PERSONAL APPEARANCE TATTOOS AND BODY ORNAMENTATION/MODIFICATION I. PURPOS...

OVIEDO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 02-10-2022 APPROVAL: NUMBER: Dale Coleman Chief of Police GO 2-12.1 REFERENCE: Personal Appearance AMENDS: GO 2-12.0 RESCINDS: None I. II. III. IV. PURPOSE POLICY PERSONAL APPEARANCE TATTOOS AND BODY ORNAMENTATION/MODIFICATION I. PURPOSE The purpose of this order is to establish guidelines for the personal appearance and grooming of the members of the Oviedo Police Department to ensure that all members reflect the high professional standards of the department. II. POLICY It is the policy of the Oviedo Police Department that all department members, while in the performance of their duties and/or while representing the department in any way, create a positive professional image through proper appearance and personal grooming and hygiene. All members of the Oviedo Police Department shall adhere to the appearance and grooming regulations outlined in this order. III. PERSONAL APPEARANCE A. While on-duty, members shall present a neat, well-groomed, professional appearance. B. Members shall practice good hygiene that does not interfere with or distract from the performance of duties. Oviedo Police Department GO 2-12.1 Personal Appearance Page 2 of 5 C. When cosmetics are used, they shall match the member’s natural skin tone and color. The use of cosmetics shall not detract from the member’s professional appearance. Fingernails shall be groomed appropriately. D. Hair shall be neat, clean, trimmed, and styled to present a well-groomed professional appearance. E. Sideburns are to be tapered to the contour of the head and neatly trimmed. Sideburns may not extend below the bottom of the earlobes and must be squared at the bottom. F. Facial hair shall represent an overall neat, polished, and professional appearance. Facial hair shall not be groomed, shaped, or styled in a manner determined by supervision to be extreme. If at any time the member’s supervisor or higher authority determines the facial hair is not within the standards of this general order, the member may be required to make changes or return to a clean-shaven face. G. A neatly trimmed, naturally colored, symmetrical beard or goatee, not exceeding ½ inch in length and more than ¼ inch beyond the jaw line, is permitted. 1. Mustaches shall: a. b. 2. Mustaches shall NOT: a. b. 3. Extend onto or over the upper lip line. Be “Handlebar” or “Fu Manchu” type mustaches. Beards and goatees shall: a. b. c. d. 4. Conform to the natural lip line. Be the full, naturally grown width, extending to the corners of the mouth. Be a consistent length throughout. Connect to an appropriately grown mustache. Follow a defined cheek line. Be fully grown-in throughout and under the bottom lip. Beards and goatees shall NOT: a. b. Extend onto the neck. Present as non-shaven or stubble. GO 2-12.1 Personal Appearance Oviedo Police Department GO 2-12.1 Personal Appearance 5. The following (but not limited to) is NOT permitted: a. b. c. d. IV. Page 3 of 5 The “Royale” or “Soul Patch.” This consists of a tuft of hair under the lower lip without a completely enclosed goatee. Chin Beards: A beard that is formed solely by a tuft of hair on the chin without connecting to the accompanying mustache. Tiered Goatee: A goatee that has variable lengths of hair to create a multi-leveled appearance. “Mutton Chop” Beards: A beard with the chin and mustache shaved. H. Jewelry worn by members shall not be distracting, offensive, or hinder the work function. Male members are prohibited from wearing earrings. Female members in uniform are authorized to wear two (2) pairs of small “loop” or “post-type” earrings. No dangle earrings may be worn. I. Members assigned to undercover or special operations shall be groomed in accordance with the standards set by the Chief of Police or the unit supervisor. J. The Chief of Police has sole discretion to approve any exemptions from these restrictions. TATTOOS AND BODY ORNAMENTATION/MODIFICATION A. Tattoo Definitions: 1. Visible Tattoo: A visible tattoo is one that is on any portion of the body not covered by clothing. A tattoo will also be considered visible if it can be seen through the clothing. 2. Inappropriate Tattoo: A tattoo is considered inappropriate when it depicts, describes, or otherwise refers to violence, cruelty, or nudity, offends community standards, or detracts from a professional appearance. 3. Prohibited Tattoo: A tattoo is prohibited when it depicts, describes, or refers to gang affiliation, intolerance of, or discrimination against, any race, color, preference, creed, religion, gender, national origin; or it is commonly associated with any organization or group which advocates such intolerance or discrimination; or it depicts, describes, or refers to sexual conduct or acts; or it brings discredit upon the department or violates community standards, or detracts from a professional appearance. GO 2-12.1 Personal Appearance Oviedo Police Department GO 2-12.1 Personal Appearance B. Page 4 of 5 Tattoo Standards: Members may not have prohibited tattoos, even if they are not visible. Otherwise, members may have tattoos, and they may be visible as outlined below: 1. Tattoos may be displayed on the arms and wrists. 2. Tattoos may be displayed on the hands (wrist to fingers) in the form of a ring tattoo on any one single finger and/or a 1” x 1” tattoo on each hand. 3. Tattoos may be displayed on the legs. 4. Visible tattoos are prohibited on the facial area, ears, scalp, and neck (collar and upward). 5. Any question regarding whether an applicant’s or member’s tattoos are prohibited or not shall be referred to the Chief of Police who shall make said determination. 6. Inappropriate tattoos are permitted but shall not be visible. 7. Inappropriate tattoos as defined above, must be covered while onduty and/or utilizing a department vehicle or equipment when offduty. The method used to cover the tattoo must present a professional appearance. The member will utilize a long-sleeve uniform shirt, long pants, or other approved attire. The Chief of Police or designee shall determine what will be other approved attire. The member will be responsible for the expense of purchasing attire used to cover tattoos if it is something other than a department-issued uniform. 8. Members found to have a prohibited tattoo, visible or otherwise, may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. 9. Members with existing tattoos as of the current effective date of this order that are in violation of this order may be required to cover the tattoos at all times while on-duty, regardless of the season or weather conditions to comply with this order. 10. Applicants in the hiring process must sign acknowledgement of this order in addition to submitting the location and written explanation(s) of all visible tattoos at the time of hire. GO 2-12.1 Personal Appearance Oviedo Police Department GO 2-12.1 Personal Appearance 11. Page 5 of 5 The Chief of Police or designee shall have sole discretion in determining if a tattoo is inappropriate or prohibited. NOTE: Members wishing to acquire a new visible tattoo should seek the approval of the Chief of Police via the chain of command prior to the addition of the visible tattoo. If deemed unacceptable after tattoo placement by general order guidelines or the Chief of Police, the member may be subject to disciplinary action. C. Body Ornamentation/Modification: 1. Body ornamentation/Modification includes, but is not limited to, intentional body/tongue piercing or mutilation, and dental ornamentation. This definition does not include the normal piercing of the earlobe for earrings. 2. Visible body ornamentation/modification is prohibited. examples include: a. b. c. d. e. Some A split or forked tongue; Foreign objects inserted under the skin to create a design or pattern; Enlarged or stretched out holes in the ears; Tongue or nose piercing; and Any dental ornamentation such as designs, jewels, initials, etc. displayed on/in teeth. /s/ DHC ____________________________________ DALE COLEMAN CHIEF OF POLICE 02-10-2022 __________________ DATE GO 2-12.1 Personal Appearance