Union blasts South Yorkshire Police's 'draconian’ dress code policy

Unite, the UK’s largest union, claim the policy means police staff "will not reflect the community they serve" and could lead to the loss of public support.

But South Yorkshire Police disputed this and said the standards and appearance policy was part of a drive "to achieve excellence in all aspects of its performance”. 

Unite said it was concerned over the rules regarding hair, facial hair, tattoos, jewellery and footwear.

The policy states:

• Hair must be cut or secured above the collar and ears. Extreme and vivid hair colouring is not permitted. Hair should be of natural colours and extra tones should be natural and subtle.
• An unshaven/stubbly appearance is unacceptable
• Lengthy beards are barred.
• Tattoos visible on the face, neck, hands or head are not permitted. Tattoos on forearms must be covered.
• Staff who get a visible tattoo will be committing gross misconduct and applicants with visible tattoos will not normally be recruited.
• All members of staff are restricted to rings on just two fingers.
• Some styles of shoe are inappropriate in certain situations due to health and safety considerations, e.g high-heeled shoes and open toe sandals.

Unite regional officer Shane Sweeting said: “This is a draconian policy which is entirely unnecessary.

“The rules on matters such as tattoos and hair colouring mean that South Yorkshire police and police staff will not reflect the community they serve, which is essential to gain the support of the general public.

“Unite fully appreciates that police officers and public facing staff need to have some guidance but to issue this huge procedures document is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

“Unite will fully support any member who falls foul of the policy or who believes that the policy is unfair or discriminatory and we will be lobbying South Yorkshire police to enter into meaningful negotiations to produce a workable policy that reflects the society which we live.”

Unite claim the code was introduced without consultation.

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “Whilst the force recognises that the process of consultation could have been concluded more succinctly, it is disingenuous to say that the Unite Trade Union was not consulted. 

“Whilst the policy is designed to respect individual freedoms, it is perfectly legitimate to impose certain constraints in achieving the common hallmarks of what a professional organisation looks like.”

Chief Con Stephen Watson, who sanctioned the change in policy, said: “What is described as ‘draconian’ in some quarters represents no more than a clear and reasonable set of expectations as to the professional appearance of our staff. 

“The idea that our taking a clear stance on these issues will come at the expense of public confidence is simply wrong. 

“The policy is designed to ensure that all of our staff adhere to what might reasonably be expected of a professional, modern and disciplined service. Our staff are proud to represent South Yorkshire Police and the Crown and this policy sets out what the public have a right to expect of their police force. 

“It is for this reason that the policy, whilst perhaps not universally popular, has been well received by many of our staff who are as anxious as I am to uphold standards.”