Cops: Beard Ban Is Discriminatory

Texas Officers Claim Skin Condition That Affects Primarily Black Men Inhibits Shaving

(CBS/AP)  Four U.S. police officers have filed a lawsuit claiming their police department's beard ban is discriminatory.

The officers say the policy in Houston, Texas, banning beards and goatees is unfair for men with a skin condition that reacts to shaving.

The condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae, primarily affects black men and can cause severe irritation, rashes and ingrown hair.

Houston police said the ban was adopted in 2005 because officers with facial hair cannot properly seal gas masks in the event of bioterrorism attacks.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday says the men were reassigned to plainclothes duty because of their facial hair. Sgts. Shelby Stewart and Kenneth Perkins said they have goatees because of the skin condition.

"When they took us out of uniform and told us we couldn't work second jobs in uniform, that meant that we had to take a financial hit that most officers would not take," said Stewart, a 26-year department veteran.

“That actually makes me feel as though a family member just slapped me in the face,” said Sgt. Perkins, according to CBS affiliate KHOU-TV.

Craig Ferrell, a lawyer for Houston police, denied any discrimination but said the policy will be changed. Officers who cannot shave would use special gas masks that that can be worn over a beard, he said.

Also, officers who cannot shave due to medical conditions may be assigned to plainclothes duties, but they must submit a written report from a physician every 30 days, reports KHOU.

Officers Adrian White and Raul Collins are also plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The City of Houston is also named as a defendant.

The lawsuit alleges diminished status and pay because of the policy, but Ferrell said the reassignments were not demotions.

“I hope the citizens of Houston want an officer out there when we call the police, and I don’t care if he has a beard," attorney Jolanda Jones said, according to KHOU. "I really don’t. I just want to make sure I’m safe."

[keithle1]

I have head about this skin condition before. Let them have a beard or goatee or whatever. You think the criminals care? All they see is a "pig." Shaved or with a beard.

[michellem99-2009]

It is no joke. I feel for them men. I am a woman and IF they can''t shave for medical reasons.Rool with it. Them being black is not the issue and it will not go away. I don''t care lf a male cop has a beard as long as it is neat and trimmed to uniformed codes for them permission to have them as shaving causes skin problems. I have to be careful as I can''t wear certain metals used in rings and necklaces. Fragant free saop and shampoo. I feel feel the gents.

[sgtrds]

I don''t see the problem? The military has been granting shaving waivers for this since at least as long ago as the early 70''s when I was in. Some black airmen had this same condition and granting waivers didn''t make any of them better or worse at their jobs. It''s true that it is a black health issue, so grant the waivers!

[rf35]

The military has banned beards for as long as I''ve been in. It does interfere with the gas mask seal, but that''s not the only, or even the main reason. The idea of uniformity is also a reason, as is hygine. People can get shaving waivers for skin conditions like the one above which have to be periodically renewed by a medical professional, but that exam is not paid for by the servicemember. I doubt they have to shell out money in the police force, either. If the force requires the exam, they would have to pay for it. Also, the beard length cannot exceed one quarter inch in any case. The problem here was the police being transferred out of uniformed positions. If the department used the facial hair as an excuse for the transfer, they must have been trying to cover up the real reason. I really doubt this had anything to do with race...there is somthing else going on here.

[gunnerv1]

jennmarie620 Why do you think they call it "Uniform"?
If Beards are allowed, there will have to be regulations concerning them, too long of a beard and a "Perp" could grab it and harm the Officer (and get shot/tasered for doing it).

[grammawhamma]

Let them keep their beards and sign a waiver that they are aware gas masks will not fit them effectively in the event of bioterrorism attacks.

[jennmarie620]

I honestly don''t think it was a race issue - I think it was someone in the Houston PD on some kind of power trip by wanting every police officer to look alike when in uniform. And it''s ridiculous. Having facial hair does NOT a cop make - nor does it a cop break. Good for these men for standing up for themselves and their personal right to shave or not to shave. As long as they do their job on a daily basis with ethics and by the book, then that''s all that matters.

[cepe10-2009]

I think the skin head nazi look should also be banned:)

[gunownerdan]

If the police need to hire fashion police to police the police, they should consider hiring fashion police from North Korea or Iran, they have a lot of experience over there with handling fashion violations.

[slim1h2o]

gunnerv,, making one shave, should not be race issue,
maybe a health issue. but not a race issue. thats what I was saying.

[gunnerv1]

slim1h2c it''s not that new. It was in the Military as early as 1964.

[slim1h2o]

This a new twist on the race card, beards

[rushman71]

"Also, officers who cannot shave due to medical conditions may be assigned to plainclothes duties, but they must submit a written report from a physician every 30 days"

This is a total joke. The person has to go and waist his own money each and every month to visit a doctor for a written report, submit it to his supervisor, and only able to wear plain clothes, all towards the "possibilities" of us having a bioterroristic attack!!! Give me a friggen break!!! Houston, we have a problem!!! Decision Making!!!