Police balk at hairy, expensive situation
July 7, 2008 by Darlene WatsonPosted in: "Seemed like a good idea at the time", Bad investments, Discrimination, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest news & views
Houston city officials are taking a slice out of their coffers to support an unpopular beard ban — and it’s got several officers crying discrimination.
Four Houston police officers have brought a lawsuit against the city because of a no-facial hair policy that was put in place in 1993. The city council has unanimously authorized spending up to $150K to support the ban (that’s a lot of beard-trimmers if you ask us). When asked why facial hair had to go, the city responded by claiming smooth faces make officers appear both conservative and professional.
The officers filed the lawsuit saying the ban discriminates against men who suffer from skin conditions that react to shaving. Irritation, rashes and ingrown hair are just a few of the problems the ban’s causing.
Officers are also complaining because they feel the ban negatively affects secondary jobs and earning potential. We’re not sure what positions would be adversely affected by being clean-shaven — unless the officers are moonlighting as lumberjacks, Santa Claus or Father Time.
Tags: Discrimination, Facial hair, Santa Claus, Skin condition
July 11th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
This is a serious issue, especially since it significantly affects African Americans. My husband is a veteran and was allowed a mustache, however, he suffered from ingrown hair in the chin from shaving daily. The ingrown hairs can be extremely painful, not to mention the scarring it leaves behind. The Houston police department would be better off putting that money to use in programs helpful to children/teens as opposed to requesting officers to be clean shaven. Don’t the officers have enough to be concerned about? As for secondary jobs, let’s face it everyone does not look conservative and professional without facial hair - some look creepy!
July 21st, 2008 at 4:41 pm
[...] They are great guys and I wish I had 100 clients just like them. That having been said, I find this pretty damn funny. Four Houston police officers have brought a lawsuit against the city because of [...]