Personal_Appearance_Standards

Policy 1009CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/06/23, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentPersonal Appearance Standards - 1Personal Appearance Standards 1009.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE In order to project uniformity and neutrality toward the public and other members of the department, employees shall maintain their personal hygiene and appearance to project a professional image appropriate for this department and for their assignment. 1009.2 GROOMING STANDARDS Unless otherwise stated and because deviations from these standards could present officer safety issues, the following appearance standards shall apply to all employees, except those whose current assignment would deem them not appropriate, and where the Chief of Police has granted exception. 1009.2.1 HAIR Hairstyles of all members shall be neat in appearance and of a natural color. Department members in uniform must ensure that their hair does not extend below the top edge of the uniform collar when standing in a normal posture. If hair is longer, it should not extend beyond the bottom level of the uniform patch and may be worn up or secured in a tightly wrapped braid or ponytail. 1009.2.2 MUSTACHES A short and neatly trimmed mustache may be worn. Mustaches shall not extend below the corners of the mouth or beyond the natural hairline of the upper lip. 1009.2.3 SIDEBURNS Sideburns shall not extend below the bottom of the outer ear opening (the top of the earlobes) and shall be trimmed and neat. 1009.2.4 FACIAL HAIR Facial hair other than sideburns, mustaches and eyebrows shall not be worn, unless authorized by the Chief of Police or designee. All facial hair must be worn in a manner that reflects a professional business image on the department while in civilian attire and in uniform. Permission to wear beards may be withdrawn by the Chief of Police at any time. If authorized by the Chief of Police or designee, facial hair in the form of a neatly maintained and groomed beard or goatee must be uniform in length and not longer than half (1/2) of an inch. Facial hair may not be gathered in rubber bands or dyed an unnatural color. Members issued a gas mask or other safety equipment are responsible for insuring the facial hair allows for a proper seal. Members with facial hair are required to have a means of quickly shaving their facial hair while at work if exposure to chemical agents or other hazardous substances becomes likely. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Personal Appearance Standards Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/06/23, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentPersonal Appearance Standards - 21009.2.5 FINGERNAILS Fingernails extending beyond the tip of the finger can pose a safety hazard to officers or others. For this reason, fingernails shall be trimmed so that no point of the nail extends beyond the tip of the finger for sworn and other uniformed personnel. Fingernails must project a professional business image on the department. 1009.2.6 JEWELRY For the purpose of this policy, jewelry refers to rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, wristwatches, and tie tacks or tie bars. Jewelry shall present a professional image and may not create a safety concern for the department member or others. Jewelry that depicts racial, sexual, discriminatory, gang-related, or obscene language is not allowed. (a)Necklaces shall not be visible above the shirt collar for sworn and other uniformed personnel. (b)Earrings shall be small and worn only in or on the earlobe for sworn and other uniformed personnel. (c)One ring or ring set may be worn on each hand of the department member. No rings should be of the type that would cut or pose an unreasonable safety risk to the member or others during a physical altercation, if the member is assigned to a position where that may occur. (d)One small bracelet, including a bracelet identifying a medical condition, may be worn on one arm for sworn and other uniformed personnel. (e)Wristwatches shall present a professional image. (f)Tie tacks or tie bars worn with civilian attire shall present a professional image. 1009.3 TATTOOS Generally, members should not have tattoos and/or branding or scarification visible to the public while on duty or representing the department. Unless approved through the requirements below, members should make every reasonable effort to conceal tattoos or other body art with the exception of a wedding band while on-duty or representing the Department in any official capacity. 1009.3.1 APPROVAL PROCESS Members may only have tattoos and/or branding or scarification visible to the public while on duty or representing the department if they have been approved by the Chief of Police using the following process. (a)The member shall submit a memo requesting approval of the tattoo to the Chief of Police or designee. The memo should include a photo for existing tattoos or drawing for planned tattoos. (b)The request shall be reviewed by the Chief of Police or designee in accordance with the tattoo criteria below. The Chief of Police or designee will review the memo and photograph or drawing of the tattoo to make a determination whether to approve the tattoo(s) and/or branding or scarification. The final decision made by the Chief of Police will be sent to the requesting member. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Personal Appearance Standards Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/