Do women who want to be police officers have to cut their hair?

California Street Cop

Try another job if your hair is too pretty to cut.

It won't do you a lot of good on the job when some POS parolee is throwing you around by it.

***ADDITION***

I guess some "people" don't see what I'm saying, so let me try again. If someone's hair is so important to them, then police work IS NOT the career for them. I love what I do. I do a good job and a lot of fun. I'd have my ears removed if it were some requirement to continue doing what I do. If you don't get the dedication aspect I pity your miserable lives.

Max

I had to cut my mullet.

joeanonymous

Our department has rules that hair (for both men and women) must not touch the collar of the shirt. So that means you either cut it short or tie it up in a bun (some depts. allow pony tails). This pretty much rules out shoulder length layered hair, as it is difficult to tie up.

I am over 40 now, long hair was tiresome to take care of, so I cut it short.

Vikki

No but each department has their own requirements as to how it must be worn, usually in a bun, braid, or ponytail. A lot of them cut their hair just bacause it's easier than putting it up everyday.

motherofemery

Mrs. B2B

No your don't have to cut your hair.

Rick95051

You can put it up in a ponytail or a bun. Most departments make you put it up above your collar, for professionalism and your safety.

glock194me

I'm about to enter the academy also. I do not want to cut my hair, but if that happens to be needed I will deal with it because becoming an LEO is more important to me than my hair. Like the others have said, most departments will just require you to keep it up, usually in a ponytail or off the collar. Their main points are professionalism, and officer safety. Think about it...the longer/more accessible your hair is the easier for mr perp to grab it and potentially put you in a nasty situation. I know several male officers who buzz or keep their hair shorter than they really like for the same reasons.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Vicki D

No, but you will need to wear it up. Many female officers probably have short hair because it is more convenient.

chrissy7069

I'm a police officer in GA and I have short hair... but you dont have to cut your hair usually a chief doesn't want your hair touching your collar... So you would probably have to put it in a bun....

Whatcha Gonna Do

nope. well, maybe .1% of departments enforce ot. but short hair is safer, easier, and can still be very atractive.

don't pay any attention to my short-hair avatar. i have long hair (almost to my elbows) and i ain't cuttin if off when i turn 21!

shaunte_lovee

No! You probably will just have to put it up in like a bun. Don't cut of your gorgeous locks!

sublime

No, but it typically needs to be up above the collar and looking professional.

~Wingnut Extrodinar~

no you do not have to cut it...but you do have to keep it off your collar...in most departments....I have med. length hair and I pin it up before I go to work! I refuse to cut my hair short short!

Good Luck...it is nice to see other females becoming LEO's!

PurplePeach

Short hair makes it more difficult for anyone to grab a police officer's hair if there were to be a fight.

I wore my hair short after trying to keep it pulled back into a severe bun. I kept getting headaches from my hair being pulled back so tight. Ouch. And started to have split ends from rubber band and bobbie pins.

So I simpley went to beauty shop for what is called a Pixie cut. I loved the cut and never looked back for 23 years.

I wanted to keep my hair long but realized my safety and life could depend on someone pulling me down by my hair!!

Oh, the department preferred females to go light on makeup, no lipstick, just lip balm.
I could only wear stud earrings, a wedding band, and my watch. No necklaces, no cologne, no purse.
I could not and did not want to wear long finger nails and only clear or nude nail polish was allowed.

Good luck in the Academy. Start getting ready for the physical training now so you are in excellent shape.

P.S. I graduated from Polce Academy in 1973!! There were VERY few females on the job then and it was tough going for me--will not go into details. I LOVED MY JOB.

SO good luck and BE SAFE to all in Law Enforcement or planning a career in it. It can be physically and mentally demanding on you. Can go from pure boredom on the job to near terror/danger in a heartbeat.

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