2023/26194 - Facial Hair

REQUEST

Good afternoon, I am researching the wearing of facial hair within Policing.

Are front line, operational officers, permitted to wear a beard?

Are front line, operational officers, permitted to wear facial hair of any length?

Does your force have any policy regulating the wearing of facial hair?

Are front line, operational officers, required to wear Respiratory Protective Equipment, specifically FFP3 masks in certain circumstances?

If yes, what are those circumstances?

Do you require front line, operational officers, to be clean shaven when wearing FFP3 masks?

Do you require front line, operational officers to wear FFP3 masks in any of the following scenarios:

-           Dealing with persons known to be positive for COVID-19

-           Exposure to blood borne pathogens (via cuts and abrasions in skin); this includes dealing with victims of fatal RTCs

-           Dealing with or examining vehicles where the air bag has been deployed or other man-made fibres such as carbon fibre or similar has been damaged

-           Attendance at ongoing vehicle fires or attendance at / examination of any vehicle that has previously been fire damaged / burnt out

-           Attendance at fires in general

-           Testing of drugs

Did you ever require officers to wear FFP3 masks, for instance during the COVID-19 pandemic?

If yes, were officers required to be clean shaven when wearing said masks?

RESPONSE