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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2021/09/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Personal Appearance Standards - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Personal Appearance Standards 1023.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE In order to project uniformity and neutrality toward the public and other members of the Department, every Police Department employees shall maintain their personal hygiene and appearance to project a professional image appropriate for this Department and for their assignment. 1023.2 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 warrants more flexibility and where the Chief of Police has granted exception. 1023.2.1 HAIR Hairstyles of all members shall be neat, clean, and present a well-groomed appearance. Hair shall conform to the contemporary community standards prescribed as acceptable business appearance. Hair may be no more than two colors and the hues must be naturally occurring. Unnatural hair colors (blue, green, pink, etc.) and embellished hairstyles (vibrant, asymmetrical, mohawk, animal print, ornamental additions, etc.) are prohibited. If a hair style is a safety hazard to the m ember, it shall not be permitted. For male uniformed members, hair on the back of the neck may not touch the collar. The "block cut" is permitted as long as a tapered appearance is maintained. Hair shall be no longer than four inches and trimmed so it does not extend below the top of the shirt collar or touch any portion of the ear. For female uniformed members, hair must be worn up in a single, tightly wrapped braid, bun, or ponytail. The ponytail or braid should not extend below the top of the shirt collar. This policy does not preclude a female employee from maintaining a shorter hair style, which is kept trimmed so it does not extend below the top of the shirt collar and secured in a matter so the hair does not obstruct the employee's vision during the course of the e mployee's duties. 1023.2.2 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. 1023.2.3 SIDEBURNS Sideburns shall not extend below the bottom of the outer ear opening (the top of the earlobes) and shall be trimmed and neat. 1023.2.4 FACIAL HAIR Facial hair other than sideburns, mustaches and eyebrows shall not be worn, unless authorized by the Chief of Police or his or her designee. Policy 1023 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2021/09/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Personal Appearance Standards - 2 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Personal Appearance Standards There may be an exception to the facial hair requirement for those employees who have been diagnosed with a medical condition that prevents the employee from repeated shaving (i.e. pseudofolliculitis barbae). 1023.2.5 FINGERNAILS Fingernai ls 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. If worn, figernail polish shall consist of neutral col ors and no jewelry embellishments. 1023.2.6 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) When in uniform, necklaces shall not be visible above the shirt collar. (b) Only female employees are authorized to wear non- conspicuous stud earrings, one in each ear and not more than two in each ear. Earrings shall be small and worn only in or on the earlobe. (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 wher e that may occur. (d) One small bracelet, including a bracelet identifying a medical condition, may be worn on one arm. (e) Wristwatches shall be conservative and present a professional image. (f) Tie tacks or tie bars worn with civilian attire shall be conservative and present a professional image. 1023.2.7 COSMETICS Members may wear cosmetics, if used conservatively. Uniformed members shall not wear cosmetics that detract from uniform appearance. 1023.3 TATTOOS The presence of visible tattoos and/ or body art (including but not limited to piercings, brandings, scar