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Hairtastic: Calgary police officers now allowed to sport beards

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – When you think of a police officer, a thick well-kept moustache may come to mind, but what about a voluptuous beard?

Thanks to changes to the Personal Appearance Policy for Calgary police, officers will now be allowed to sport beards.

“Really, it was a collaborative effort between the CPA and the CPS,” said President of the Calgary Police Association (CPA) John Orr.

However, as Orr points out, there are still some limits.

“Nobody wants a dishevelled looking police officer serving the public. The rules surrounding it limit the length of facial hair, the manner in which it’s grown and gives management some discretion in certain circumstances to not allow it for safety reasons.”

The length for beards can reach no more than two centimetres, and officers can only grow them while off-duty.

Facial hair for religious purposes has been allowed for years, and moustaches have been ok since the 70s.

Orr said the rule changes put Calgary in line with other police forces in Canada.

“Places like Ontario, other places in Alberta have had these allowances for a number of years. This really just updates the policy and brings Calgary in line with them.”

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Police Service still has a full ban on beards.

The changes came into effect late last month.

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