Policy Text
Policy Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
| 0 42 Policy Manual
Grooming and Appearance Standards
1042.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
In order to project uniformity and neutrality toward the public and all personnel within the Sheriffs
Office, all on-duty personnel shall maintain their personal hygiene and appearance to project an
image appropriate for the professionalism of this office and for their assignment.
1042.2 GROOMING STANDARDS
Unless otherwise stated and because deviations from these standards could present officer safety
issues, the following appearance standards shall apply to all on-duty personnel, except those
whose current assignment would deem them not appropriate, and where the Sheriff, Undersheriff,
Assistant Sheriff or division Captain has granted exception.
1042.2.1 HAIR
Hairstyles of all personnel shall be neat and professional in appearance. For male sworn
personnel, hair must not extend below the top edge of the uniform collar while assuming a normal
upright stance.
For female sworn personnel, hair must be no longer than the horizontal level of the bottom of the
uniform patch when assuming a normal upright stance, worn up or in a tightly wrapped bun, braid
or ponytail.
1042.2.2 MUSTACHES
Sworn and non-sworn personnel are permitted to wear a mustache that is maintained at a length
and pattern so as not to detract from the employee’s professional appearance. Mustaches shall
not extend below the corners of the mouth or beyond the natural hairline of the upper lip.
1042.2.3 SIDEBURNS
Sideburns shall not extend below the bottom of the lowest ear opening (the top of the earlobes)
and shall be trimmed and neat.
1042.2.4 FACIAL HAIR
Sworn and non-sworn personnel are permitted to wear beards or goatees that are maintained at a
length and pattern so as not to detract from the employee's professional appearance. Beards or
goatees shall be well-groomed and neatly trimmed at all times. Beards must be trimmed, have
clean lines, shall not be permitted below the jaw line or on the neck, and shall be uniform in length
and style and connect with a mustache. Goatees shall cover the width of the chin below the lips,
connect with a mustache and have a clean shaven void between the lower lip and top of the chin
hairline.
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Sheriff's Office
Beards or goatees that have a non-uniform style, length or patchy appearance will not be
permitted. Sworn personnel in uniform shall not exceed a maximum beard or goatee length of
one-half of an inch.
When starting to grow a beard or goatee, personnel shall start on a period of at least three days off
to present a more professional appearance upon return to duty and prevent working while in an
‘unshaven' state. Personnel will not be permitted to report to work without shaving, claiming they
have started to grow a beard.
Sworn personne! working in undercover or specialized assignments requiring facial hair not
otherwise authorized by this policy, shall be exempt from these restrictions.
Personnel recognize that with the implementation of this policy, the intent is to maintain a
professional appearance in our personnel while still allowing some individuality and being
reflective of the community we serve.
All sworn personnel must maintain facial hair that allows the proper fit and function of personal
protective equipment including department issued gas masks and or SCBA.
FACIAL HAIR REVIEW BOARD
Supervisors will be responsible for ensuring that their subordinates conform to the standards
outlined in this policy. If a Supervisor feels that an employee’s beard or goatee does not
meet these standards and cannot be corrected with trimming and maintenance, the employee will
be referred to the Facial Hair Review Board for evaluation. The Facial Hair Review Board will be
comprised of three members, two Lieutenants and one member from the employees represented
union assigned to the Uniform Committee. The three-member board will convene within 14 days
of the referral and evaluate the employee’s appearance, keeping in mind the rules outlined in this
policy. The decision of the Facial Hair Review Board on whether an employee is conforming
to this policy will be final.
Personnel who receive an unfavorable ruling from the Facial Hair Review Board shall wait one
year before re-attempting to grow a beard in accordance with the standards of this policy.
1042.2.5 FINGERNAILS
Fing