The Columbus Police Department is updating its appearance rules to allow officers to have neatly groomed beards and some tattoos.
The changes, approved Tuesday by the Columbus Board of Works, slightly relax the grooming and appearance guidelines for the department. Previously, the department only allowed mustaches and goatees, and required tattoos to be covered at all times.
While beards will be allowed, they must follow the same length guidelines as goatees, keeping them short and trimmed.
The new appearance rules will also allow officers to wear a yet-to-be designed Columbus Police Department baseball hat, which may be used when officers are directing traffic in the hot sun or need some head protection in weather.
The changes were suggested from information provided at a recent conference for police chiefs, Columbus Chief Jon Rohde said. The new rules, modeled after the Bloomington department’s policy, were reviewed by the city’s human resources department, he said.
At the conference, the appearance changes were suggested as one of the cheapest ways to make a police department more attractive to potential hires.
While board members didn’t have too many questions about the baseball hat or the facial hair, they did ask who would determine whether a specific tattoo would be appropriate.
The issue would first go before the supervisor of the employee, and then on to the police chief, Rohde said. Working with the human resources department, the chief would then make a determination, he said.
The department has hired several former members of the U.S. military who have tattoos on their forearms. Under the former rules, these tattoos would have to be covered at all times, Rohde said. That would include wearing a long-sleeve shirt even in the hot summer months to keep the tattoos out of sight.
The new rules allowing tattoos to be visible and might have another benefit, Rohde said. At the conference, the police chiefs were told that officers who have tattoos might be more relatable to some of the individuals they approach in the course of their duties as a police officer, he said.
Tattoos on the face, neck and hands are still prohibited, but Rohde said the department could consider allowing coverups on those, depending on circumstances.
Applicants will not be asked if they have tattoos when they apply for a position at the department, the chief said.
When board member John Pickett asked if the new appearance rules could help in recruitment, Rohde said that would be a benefit.
In addition to the new appearance rules, the city has approved a relaxed take-home car policy for police officers and also completed an evaluation of police officer salaries to make them competitive with other departments around the state.
Rohde said the police department has two openings, one of which occurred when former police officer Jeremy Jones was sworn in as a Columbus firefighter on Tuesday. That number will increase to four openings when two new school resource officers begin duties in January.
One retirement is expected in 2019 and another officer has indicated a retirement date in early 2020, Rohde said. Another 10 officers are retirement-eligible and could retire at any time, meaning the department will be facing significant recruitment efforts, he said.
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Facial hair
Officers may grow facial hair. All facial hair shall be kept neatly trimmed to a uniform length, but no longer than ½ inch. Mustaches must be neatly trimmed, but shall not extend over the top of the upper lip, or below the corners of the mouth. Goatees and beards must be neatly and evenly trimmed, and shall not be bulky.
Tattoos
Officers are prohibited from displaying any permanent or temporary tattoo or brand on his/her head, face, neck or hands while on duty or in uniform, and any such tattoo or brand shall be covered from view. Officers are prohibited from displaying any tattoo that is sexually suggestive, vulgar, contains profane language or could otherwise be construed as offensive. The chief of police or his/her designee shall have the final say in the determination of whether or not a tattoo is offensive. If the tattoo is deemed offensive, concealment from public view while on duty shall be mandatory. The covering of any tattoo or brand shall be done in compliance with all approved appearance requirements as contained in this general order.
Department caps
An authorized department baseball style cap may be worn by the officer with the bill completely facing forward.
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