The NYPD will be changing its dress code when it comes to facial hair and officer uniforms, adopting more of an "old school" look.
In a video obtained by the New York Post, Chief of Patrol John Chell is heard outlining some of the impending changes to the department's dress code during a CompStat meeting. Chell said beards and open collars would be prohibited soon and that the department would be "going back to weather restrictions on knit caps.”
“Basically, what I’m telling everybody in this room is we’re going back old school,” he added.” We’re going to bring back some traditions that we kind of lost in the past couple years.”
In 2016, the NYPD relaxed its facial hair and uniform guidelines, allowing beards and turbans in response to the growing number of Sikh population. Eventually, beards became permissible for officers who hadn't sought a religious exemption.
“It’s about a sense of pride,” retired NYPD Sgt. Joseph Giacalone, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told the Post. “This is absolutely a necessary aspect about showing a good front to the community because I think once the cops look good that comes with a modicum of respect because people perceive if you look like a slob they treat you like one.”
The department's largest union, however, is critical of the looming changes.
“The NYPD is understaffed by thousand of police officers and hundreds more are leaving every month,” said Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association. “The department has much bigger issues to tackle. Is it really time to focus on beards and neckties?”
