Policy Text
Policy
1031Fremont Police Department
Personal Appearance Standards
1031.1 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.
1031.2 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.
1031.2.1 HAIR
Hairstyles of all members shall be neat and professional in appearance.
When at work, sworn uniformed department members' hair must be worn up or in a tightly wrapped
braid or ponytail and must not extend below the top edge of the uniform collar while assuming a
normal stance. Hair color must be of natural color and exotic hairstyles (i.e., scroll work, abnormal
shaving patterns) are not allowed.
For professional department members, employees' hair color must be natural and exotic hairstyles
(i.e., scrollwork, abnormal shaving patterns) are not allowed.
While in Class A uniform, all department members' hair must be worn up or in a tightly wrapped
braid or ponytail and must not extend below the top edge of the uniform collar while assuming a
normal stance. Hair color must be of natural color and exotic hairstyles (i.e., scrollwork, abnormal
shaving patterns) are not allowed.
1031.2.2 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.
1031.2.3 SIDEBURNS
Sideburns shall not extend below the bottom of the outer ear opening (the top of the earlobes) and
shall be trimmed and neat. The maximum width at the bottom of the sideburns shall not exceed
one inch. A flared or mutton chop effect will not be allowed.
1031.2.4 FACIAL HAIR
Sworn and Professional personnel are permitted to wear beards and goatees maintained at a
length and pattern so as not to detract from the employee's professional appearance. Beards and
Goatees are authorized but must be worn with a mustache. Beards shall be kept clean, neatly
trimmed, and have natural color with no exotic patterns or designs. No portion of the beard may be
exceptionally longer than the rest, and beard hair length shall not exceed ½ inch. Facial hair must
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/12/19, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fremont Police DepartmentPersonal Appearance Standards - 1
Fremont Police Department
Personal Appearance Standards
be trimmed above the cheeks and shall not exceed 2 inches below the jawline. The neck must
remain clean-shaven, and the perimeter lines of the beard shall be neatly trimmed and defined.
Clumps of facial hair (i.e., anchor patch, Van Dyke, chin puff, Balbo, French Fork, soul patches,
Mutton Chops, or other patch-style facial hair) are not permitted. A neat and well-groomed goatee
beard is allowed as long as it adheres to the guidelines outlined in this policy and is connected to
a mustache without forming a clump or patch of hair. Goatees shall have sharp, even corners and
edges and must be contiguous with a mustache so as not to constitute a clump or patch of hair.
Chin-only beards, beards with no mustache, or any other patch-style goatee are not permitted. The
width of the goatee shall not exceed outward more than 1/2 inch from a vertical line that extends
from the corner of the mouth down, nor shall it proceed under the jaw toward the neck more than
1/2 inch. Individuals who cannot grow a full, well-maintained, professional-looking beard or goatee
will not be authorized to do so. Once members grow their facial hair to an acceptable length, they
must maintain it consistently to ensure a professional appearance.
Members with beards will be issued powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) to ensure
operational readiness per OSHA guidelines. Regardless of the beard style or beard hair length,
individual officers wearing beards must maintain their beard in such a manner as to be able to pass
a PAPR fit test. Members must have the necessary equipment at work to trim their beards if needed
or requested to ensure a professional appearance. No member shall grow a beard or goatee prior
to being issued and certified on PPE as outlined in the Personal Protective Equipment Policy. In
the event of an anticipated operational need for using a traditional-style gas mask (development
of protests likely to become violent), officers may be required to shave before being deployed if
their PAPR is rendered nonoperational or impractical.
Officers in a light-duty capacity with work restrictions preventing them from performing duties
necessitating gas masks or PAPR use may wear facial hair in accordance with this policy and
division commander approval. Officers returning to full duty shall shave their beards so they can
pass the required gas mask fit test. Officers may wear an authorized beard when returning to full
duty if they are in compliance with the PAPR requirement in this policy.
At the direction of an incident commander, employees may be required to be clean-shaven for pre-
planned tactical operations or crowd control events where using gas masks and/or self-contained
breathing apparatus is possible. Employees assigned to the Fremont Police Honor Guard