NEW YORK (PIX11) — The NYPD is rolling back the no-beard policy not only because officers got a bit lax with their appearance but for safety reasons as well, according to Chief of Patrol John Chell.
“I think we got a little sloppy, if you look professional – there is a term called impression management, if you look good and professional – it’s a safety issue also – and it looks good to our public,” Chell said during an interview on FOX5 Monday morning.
The facial hair polic y as well as other weather-related uniform restrictions should start in about a week. However, the religious and medical exemptions will remain in effect, police said.
In 2016, the NYPD relaxed the beard and turban policies to accommodate the number of Sikh cops joining the department
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The new policy has drawn criticism from the Police Benevolent Association, claiming the department is already understaffed and has bigger issues to contend with.