The Haircut
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
A quick look at my photo shows that I haven’t had to worry about my hair cut for quite some time. In fact, after I left uniformed police work in early 2000 I actually grew it out. That only lasted a few months as it drove me nuts and I was quite happy to return to my crew cut. Either way, I’ve never been a person who would put cornrows in my hair - on or off duty. We see news out of Philadelphia where a white police officer has been taken off of patrol duty because he did.
Now such an event brings many questions:
- Are there other officers - of any race - on that agency being permitted to patrol with the same hairstyle?
- Are there regulations in the Personnel Code or General Orders that prohibit such?
- Does this hairstyle permit proper wear of uniform items such as the issued hat(s)?
- Does this hairstyle permit proper wear and use of personal protective equipment such as gas masks or helmets?
The question I didn’t list and one that I’m old enough (and narrow minded enough) to believe matters is this:
Does the hairstyle in question reflect a professional image; one of maturity, experience, good judgment and service?
Yeah; that’s a mouthful, but think about it. Law enforcement agencies are para-military in structure and operation. While our police / deputies protect and serve our military protects and defends. The difference is one is INSIDE the borders of our country; the other is OUTSIDE.
So for those who protect and serve, a professional image is required. Given that law enforcement professionals are tasked daily with making potential life and death decisions, a high level of maturity and judgment is required. For us to maintain a positive image with the public we serve, that maturity and judgment isn’t just required: it must also be perceived.
Who was it that said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”?
How that officer - and any other officer wearing such a hairstyle - is perceived is going to be a function of his total overall appearance, behavior, statements, actions, etc. What we often forget is that he’s not just being perceived by the younger generation sometimes referred to as “the MTV crowd”. He is also being perceived by folks like me (sometimes called middle-aged although I debate that), and folks like my in-laws in their… well, a generation older than I am; and folks another generation older than them as well.
So, I find myself with mixed emotions about this young officer and his chosen hairstyle.
While on the one hand I believe it’s entirely prejudicial for him to be criticized if there are other officers of any race being permitted to wear their hair this way, I also wonder about his judgment and maturity if he believes such a hairstyle is conducive to a professional image.
Uniform is uniform for a reason. A paramilitary organization requires some semblance of military bearing and appearance. Professional control at any incident scene - even if only by presence - requires an appearance and bearing that commands respect from citizens in every age category.
In the end, I have decided that the larger problem is not potential prejudicial treatment of one white officer due to his “black hairstyle”. I have concluded that the bigger problem is the relaxed standards of appearance that have been placed in our agencies nationwide today.
If you’re going to wear a uniform and do a job, do it in such a way as to always increase the level of respect the public bestows upon us; do it in a way that increases the public perception of professionalism on our part.
Military standard haircuts have never failed us. And since I’ve been out of the service for about six years now, can anyone tell me if cornrows are an accepted hairstyle for a soldier? airman? seaman? marine? coastie? (didn’t want to leave them out) I know I’m old school and narrow minded, but what’s wrong with “high and tight”? Crew cuts work. Heck… off your ears, over your eyebrows and not touching your collar is good. But in the end, most uniform codes also have something prohibiting “extremes” in hairstyle, make up, jewelry, etc.
In today’s day and age of debates about whether or not uniform can be applied across cultures and religions I submit to you that uniform is what it is. If your cultural heritage or religious faith prohibits you from wearing the uniform within the specific guidelines, perhaps you should have chosen a different profession? One that was more in line with your culture, heritage or faith? Being a law enforcement professional is a way of life and the job dictates certain controls that aren’t up for debate or negotiation.
Then again, that’s just the thought of a middle-aged white guy who would never consider (or have enough hair to) putting his hair in cornrows.
What do you think?
I think they are lame haircuts, but if other races are allowed to wear them, then leave this officer alone.
Hair should be neat and short–corn rows fit the bill. Although I’m not a fan of that style it is functional compared to long hair and dreadlocks. Beards, ear rings, piercings, all have no place in uniform police work.
I agree with Mike B. Lame is putting it polite. I think that anyone in a public safety uniform with cornrows looks like a fool, and disrespects himself and his agency. But again, if its allowed for one race officer, why not another????
Frank, you take issue with officers who are of a cultural heritage or religious faith that prohibits them from wearing “the uniform” within the specific guidelines, and that perhaps they should have chosen a different profession? I would assume that would mean you would not be in favor of a Sikh wearing a turban and full beard on duty? My initial reaction is likely the same as yours in that I am reluctant to accept it. But when you go to the East Indian domestic call and your Sikh turban wearing partner shows up you will see the value of diversity in the police force.
So corn rows… I think they look ret*rded, but obviously not everyone does, so as long as it’s functional, isn’t a safety hazard, and isn’t totally outlandish (ie. purple hair) then whatever. I’d rather a competent partner with corn rows than an idiot with a high and tight.
I believe in the para-military style dress for police officers to an extent. I work for an agency that follows the military style of dress….to the point that they demanded that two of our officers shave off their goatees. I do believe that police should be A LITTLE more open to different styles (aka the goatee) but corn rows? Now I don’t personally want fellow officers to wear hair styles like that but then again, if it’s ok for one officer (regardless of race) then it should be ok for another officer. Instead of punishing one officer, change the policy or ,if there is already a policy in place, enforce the thing across the board!
I’ve been working since 1978. I sport a 70’s modified hair cut. I don’t like seeing the skinhead look on cops.
I wish this applied to me.
Some guys I know had their hair turn gray,mine turned loose.
But for some reason my ears, eyebrows and nose did not get the YOU ARE BALD memo
Being a female I’ve never had to worry about getting a cut every 2 weeks lest I become a hippy. I have worked with plenty of males and know all about appearance though. If I have to work with someone who’s wearing cornrows I immediately think they must be young, unexperianced and I can’t take them seriously or I have to watch over them. I prefer a more traditional look myself, but if other officers of the opposite gender and other races have worn the style without problem in that agency it should be allowed. I’d still think he was an idiot if I had to work with him.
Actually reminds me of a white guy I worked with who “converted” to being a Sikh and started wearing a turban to work. Everyone thought it was hilarious except the bosses, but they couldn’t do anything about it. Maybe the corn row guy is making a statement.
I may convert to Elvisism
We believe that you must wear you hair as Elvis did along with the duck tail flip. My uniform needs to be adorned with rhinestones and I cannot take off my large gold sunglasses or I cannot spend eternity at Graceland.I demand the dispatcher to refer to me as THE KING in all radio transmissions.
I also expect legal protection and funding from the government.
I demand my department rewrite to policy manual due to my sudden life changing conversion, even though I was not this way when hired.
OK I am using sarcasm to show a point
I am a former marine and a police officer in a major city i still wear a high and tight since 1985…the marine in me will always be there but civilian perception in our field is very important…to each his own…we are to worried about hurting peoples feelings they took the job they know the rules.
I am also a former marine and I am like Jack, when you took the job you knew the rules. If you don’t want to follow the rules get a different job. I don’t like “goatees” either. We need to be more professional than the people we deal with!
Walter,
I can respect your opinion on the goatee issue. I don’t see the big deal with the goatee but then again, with my baby face, I couldn’t grow one if I didn’t shave for 6 months.
I think Frank means well but is off base in many areas,
“While our police / deputies protect and serve our military protects and defends. The difference is one is INSIDE the borders of our country; the other is OUTSIDE”
Really? I wonder what all the LEO’s in the Coast Guard would think of that statement. They serve the boating community and much more everyday and night enforcing laws. And yes they are a full fledged branch of the military (I doubled checked my retired USCG ID card).
“Does the hairstyle in question reflect a professional image; one of maturity, experience, good judgment and service? So for those who protect and serve, a professional image is required “
As far as the hairstyle, Maybe, maybe not. I guess it depends on your prospective. I would say not. As far as a professional image? I agree one is needed. What about all the out of shape fat lard asses who look like the Michelin man in uniform? They don’t look professional.
“A paramilitary organization requires some semblance of military bearing and appearance”. Really? When was the last time someone was fired for being a fat ass? I saw the video of the guy who couldn’t get thru the door to back up his partner. His department was forced to re-hire him.
“I have concluded that the bigger problem is the relaxed standards of appearance that have been placed in our agencies nationwide today.”
Agree. Of course the main reason is because not many people want to be a cop for a wide range of reasons we all know. If the standards aren’t relaxed to some extent we won’t have any cops.
“coastie? (didn’t want to leave them out)” Why would you leave them out? 14 USC 89.
“Being a law enforcement professional is a way of life and the job dictates certain controls that aren’t up for debate or negotiation.”
Again let’s get back to the basics. If a cop can’t pass a basic PT test he should be let go until he can. They do in the military and even the lowly USCG
Now how about an article on unprofessional obese cops that can’t do the job…
I’m with Walter and Jack, when you took the job as a member of law enforcement, you took the rules that went with it. If you dont want to follow the rules, then maybe you should find a new career. The “clean cut” look has always been a sterotype for police officers. Why change it now.
sometimes policy is written very vague and guys will push issues as a way to get back at management that does dumb things to the troops. I knew a jail deputy that would test policy to proove they were bad.Some guys shouldn’t wear shaved heads cause some folks feel they look like Nazi’s or vic mackie from T.v. when they wear their black gloves. A guy with cornrows would probably get more crap from their brother officers then the public. he simply P—ed the chief off!
BUMP, got to agree with Mike on his comments:
I think Frank means well but is off base in many areas,
“While our police / deputies protect and serve our military protects and defends. The difference is one is INSIDE the borders of our country; the other is OUTSIDE”
Really? I wonder what all the LEO’s in the Coast Guard would think of that statement. They serve the boating community and much more everyday and night enforcing laws. And yes they are a full fledged branch of the military (I doubled checked my retired USCG ID card).
“Does the hairstyle in question reflect a professional image; one of maturity, experience, good judgment and service? So for those who protect and serve, a professional image is required “
As far as the hairstyle, Maybe, maybe not. I guess it depends on your prospective. I would say not. As far as a professional image? I agree one is needed. What about all the out of shape fat lard asses who look like the Michelin man in uniform? They don’t look professional.
“A paramilitary organization requires some semblance of military bearing and appearance”. Really? When was the last time someone was fired for being a fat ass? I saw the video of the guy who couldn’t get thru the door to back up his partner. His department was forced to re-hire him.
“I have concluded that the bigger problem is the relaxed standards of appearance that have been placed in our agencies nationwide today.”
Agree. Of course the main reason is because not many people want to be a cop for a wide range of reasons we all know. If the standards aren’t relaxed to some extent we won’t have any cops.
“coastie? (didn’t want to leave them out)” Why would you leave them out? 14 USC 89.
“Being a law enforcement professional is a way of life and the job dictates certain controls that aren’t up for debate or negotiation.”
Again let’s get back to the basics. If a cop can’t pass a basic PT test he should be let go until he can. They do in the military and even the lowly USCG