The Spokane PD personal appearance standards aim to project uniformity and neutrality toward the public and other members of the City of Spokane Police Department. Employees are expected to maintain their hygiene and appearance in a manner that projects a professional image appropriate for the department and for their assignment.
Unless otherwise stated, and because deviations from these standards could present officer safety issues, the following appearance standards apply to all employees, except those whose current assignment would deem them not appropriate, and where the Chief of Police has granted exception.
All members must keep their hairstyles neat in appearance and if dyed, must be of a natural color of hair. This does not apply to non-commissioned employees who are not in public facing positions. Female commissioned members’ hair must be pulled back away from the face so as not to obstruct vision. Male commissioned members’ hair must not extend below the top edge of the uniform collar while assuming a normal stance.
Mustaches must be kept neatly trimmed and will not exceed the upper border of the lip or more
than ¼ inch beyond the corners of the mouth. Mustaches must follow the natural arch of the mouth. Handlebar mustaches are not allowed.
Officers may wear beards or whiskers longer than ½ inch for medical or bona fide religious reasons or when the nature of the assignment requires it. Uniformed and non-uniformed officers may wear a neatly kept beard that presents a professional appearance and is no longer than ½ inch.
The concerned commanding officer is responsible to ensure beards meet these guidelines. Goatees must follow the natural arch of the mouth and may not extend more than ½ inch below the bottom of the chin. The Chief of Police reserves the right to revert back to the original policy of not allowing beards for uniformed officers.
Fingernails that extend beyond the tip of the finger can pose a safety hazard to officers or others. For this reason, officers must trim their fingernails so that no point of the nail extends beyond the tip of the finger. Uniformed female officers wearing nail polish must use a conservative shade, without decals or ornamentation, and must ensure it does not detract from uniform appearance.
Officers must not wear any jewelry or personal ornaments on any part of the uniform or equipment, except those authorized within this manual.
If officers wear jewelry around the neck, they must ensure it is not visible above the shirt collar. Uniformed employees must not wear visible body piercings without permission from the Chief of Police or his/her designee. Officers may wear only one ring set on each hand while on duty.
Officers must not have body alterations visible in any authorized uniform or attire that deviate from normal anatomical features and are not medically required, unless they have prior authorization from the Chief of Police. These body alterations include, but are not limited to:
A. Tongue splitting or piercing.
B. The complete or transdermal implantation of any material other than hair replacement.
C. Abnormal shaping of the ears, eyes, nose or teeth.
D. Branding or scarification.
Tattoos below the wrist (hands), as well as tattoos on the neck and above are prohibited. Officers may have one ring tattoo on each hand, below the joint of the bottom segment (portion closest to the palm) of the finger. The department will consider anything other than a band tattoo on a case-by-case basis. While on duty or representing the department in an official capacity, (including when attending court proceedings – Policy 348.6 Courtroom Protocol), offers must not display tattoos or body art:
• On the ankle or below (on the foot)
• On the legs
Special Events, including Community Outreach functions/events: Unless the Chief of Police or designee grants permission otherwise, officers must follow the tattoo restrictions for special events. If permission is granted, the ranking supervisor of the event may prohibit the display of tattoos that, in their judgment, indicate bias, are distasteful, or do not project the desired image of the Spokane Police Department. The supervisor’s decision will be final.
Majors and above have the authority to prohibit the display of tattoos that in their judgment indicate a bias, are distasteful, or do not project the desired image of the Spokane Police Department. The decision will be final.
The Chief of Police reserves the right to revert to the original policy minimizing the visibility of tattoos (date of 03/16/17). If the Chief reverts to the original policy, employees who purchased additional tattoos or body art under this policy will fall under a “grandfather” clause. Employees who purchased tattoos or body art in compliance with the previous tattoo policy but in violation of the current policy will also fall under the “grandfather” clause. For employees under the “grandfather” clause, tattoos below the wrists (on the hands) must not be visible while on duty or representing the department in an official capacity (including when attending court proceedings – Policy 348.6 Courtroom Protocol).
Female officers may wear earrings that do not present a safety hazard. Earrings must have a post with a safety back and can be no larger than a 1/4 inch in diameter. Earrings cannot display graphic images, pictures, or slogans of an offensive nature or religious symbolism. Officers may wear only one earring per ear.
