Policy Text
San Francisco Polic e Dep artment 11.08
GENERAL ORDER Rev. 06/14/23
Page 1 of 2
Grooming Standards
11.08.01 PURPOSE
Sworn members of the San Francisco Police Department are among the most highly visible representatives of the City and County of San Francisco. The purpose of this policy is to establish grooming standards for swor n uniformed members, here inafter known a s members.
While on duty members shall present themselves in a professional manner that is clean , neat , and
well-groomed.
A. Hairst yle
1. Members ’ hairstyles shall be maintained as to not hinder the safety of the officer
nor compromise the ability to per form the requirements and duties as an officer
of the D epartment.
2. It is the D epartment’s desire to promote respect, diversity , and incl usion by
allowing officer s to have hairstyles that represent their faith and cultur e while on
duty.
3. In compliance with SB 188, the D epartment will not discriminate based on a
person’s hairstyle. Personal hair style standards shall not prohibit hairstyles
associated wi th race including, but not limited to , hair text ure and protective
hairst yles. (Protecti ve hairstyles include, but are not limited to braids, locks, and
twists ).
4. When required, hairstyles must allow for the proper wearing of a Department
issued s ervice cap, ball cap and/or authorize d protective headgear.
B. Facial H air
1. Facial ha ir shall be neatly maintained .
2. Members shall not have beards or other facial hair which negates the
effectiveness of person al protective equipment that a member must utilize (i.e.,
respirator).
C. Fingernails
- shall be a length which does not interfere w ith the p erformance of duties .
D. Jewelry - Members are permitted to wear earrings that conform to the following standa rds
while in uniform :
1. Earrings must be screw -on, clip- on, or post -type earrings.
2. Earring must be fit snu gly against the ear .
3. Facial pie rcings must fit snu gly against the face and not hinder the safety of an officer .
DGO 11.08
Rev. 06/14/23
Page 2 of 2 E. Body Art and Tattoos
1. Tattoos are permitted that do not depict images that are sexist, r acist, i ndecent , or
extremist in natur e.
2. Facial tattoos are prohibited with exception of perman ent cosmeti c tattooing.
F. Inspections
All members are subject to bi -monthly formal ins pections and daily spot inspections by a
super visor to ensure they are in c omplia nce with all applicable aspects of this policy.
Grooming standards apply to s worn unif orme d member s and to plainclothes members
temporarily assigned to a uniformed assignment. Members assigned to SFPD plainclothes
units , or multi- agency task forces that allow for facial hair and groomi ng standards outsi de
these guidelines , shall co nform to SFPD grooming standards when performing any duties
that require wearing the SFPD uniform.
Supervisors shall ensure that sworn members conform to the Department's grooming
standards and shall take cor rective action if a member is not in compliance . Supervi sors who
fail to take action may be considered in neglect of duty.
G. Accommodations
Consideration for religious and medical accommodations or questions related to the
reasonabl e accommodation process should be directed to t he D epartment’s A merican s with
Disabilities A ct Coordinator .
Member s shoul d note that where a grooming standard is not specifically addressed, no
restrictions apply.
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