203-30 Facial Hair Policy

Question 1

Medical exemption- facial hair may be grown up to ___________ die to a medical condition that precludes a UMOS from contact shaving with written approval or the police surgeon concerned.

Religious accommodation for facial hair- facial hair may be grown due to sincerely held religious beliefs with written approval of the equal employment opportunity division. The length of the facial hair is to be no longer than a half inch unless the applying member requests additional length. A request for additional length will be revised and decided upon by the equal employment opportunity division on a case by case basis through a cooperative dialogue. Additionally the religious accommodation will be noted on the rear of the member identification card

Answer 1

Half inch

Approval to grow a beard for a medical condition or religious accommodation does not grant a member permission to grow goatees, designer beards, or chin strap beards, or to display words, images, patterns, logos, or designs in their facial hair, all of which are strictly prohibited

Question 2

Member of service

1. Do not grow a beard, except under the following circumstances:

A. When approved, in writing, by members ________________ because of nature of the members assignment. The members _________________ will ensure the member is clean shaven when the member is in uniform.

B. When approved, in writing, by the equal employment opportunity division, because of a sincerely geld religious belief of the member. Religious accommodation noted on back of members ID
1. Facial hair may grow up to 1/2 inch, unless the member request additional length and it is approved by equal employment opportunity division

C. When approved, in writing, by the police surgeon concerned because of a medical condition of the member
1. Facial hair may be grown up to a 1/2 inch

2. Keep sideburns closely trimmed and not extending below bottom of earlobe
3. Have mustache nearly trimmed, not extending beyond, nor drooping below corners of mouth

When a MOS requests a medical exemption to grow facial hair:

Requesting member
4. Report to ___________________ concerned you be evaluated and provide appropriate medical documentation.

NOTE
MOS are granted shaving excusable for ______ month durations. The member is then required to be re-evaluated by the district surgeon to extend the medical exemption.

When MOS requests a religious accommodation to grow facial hair:
10. Prepare reasonable accommodation request for religious practices or observances and submit to the equal employment opportunity division

Equal employment opportunity division
11. Review request for religious accommodation for completeness and accuracy

12. Confer with member concerned regarding circumstances of request.
    A. EEOD will review all applications and make a decision on a case by case basis through a cooperative dialogue
13. Ensure that facial hair does not cover body worn camera or identifying items of uniform(shield, nameplate, collar brass, etc)
    B. The member will be notified of the restrictions delineated in this procedure for MOS who are authorized to grow facial hair.
    C. Direct requesting member to report to shield, is, and retirement unit to obtain new identification card, noting religious accommodation.

Notify requesting member and commanding officer of member concerned in writing, of decision regarding accommodation request

Medical division/EEO division
16. Notify member in writing that if approved they are no longer eligible to deploy or receive training in the use of tight fitting air purifying respirator or other similar device, because of the presence of facial hair is in violation of osha regulations and will impact the effectiveness of the APR. Members cannot be assigned to a unit that requires the use of an apr.
A. Inform member that they may apply to a designated unit requiring the use of tight fitting apr or similar device but they will be required to shave if accepted in order to properly utilize the required tight fitting apr or similar device.
B. Inform member that if they are presently assigned to a unit requiring the use of a tight fitting apr or similar device they will be reassigned or transferred to a unit that will allow their needs to be met.
C. File copy of notification

17. Notify personnel orders division of any UMOS assigned to their command who needs to be transferred based on the restriction in step 16

Note- this exclusion includes but is not limited to assignments or positions in designated subunits within chief of special operations, the counter terrorism bureau and the forensic investigations division

This exclusion does not include units that require the use of the tactical good.

Answer 2

1A. Commanding officer

4. District surgeon

Supervisors will be able to query members tax numbers through rapnet to determine if they have a medical and religious reasonable accommodation