Grooming standards-Beards

[EMTGuard]

In another thread some have mentioned a photo of SOs with Beards. I thought it would be an interesting enough discussion on it's own so the other thread doesn't get too badly derailed.
A coworker and I have been discussing this very subject for about a month now. He had a beard years ago before joining this security company and wants to regrow it now. The problem is that our manual states that SOs can't have beards. They want the clean cut, para-Police look for their officers.
My buddy argues that if the beard is kept trimmed and neat, not like Uncle Jesse from the Dukes of Hazzard, and since we aren't working where we will need to wear SCBA or gas masks, then he should be able to grow out his beard.
So the first topic of discussion would be, "Do you personally have a problem with or a reason against SOs having beards"?
Next, "Does your company allow beards for it's male officers and if so what are your thoughts on the matter?"

Post away.

[Mr. Security]

Save the beards for detectives or vice. Otherwise, I prefer clean shaven or a mustache. Old-fashioned? Maybe. Just my 2 cents. :)

[ff000525]

My paticular account that I work does not allow beards. I agree with Mr. Security, I think that clean shaven or a well groomed 'stach is a more professional look. That's probably because I was in the military for six years, but I still cringe when I get to work and co-workers have a five-oclock shadow going on and its only 7am.

[Charger]

Agreed... Most of the companies I've worked for or heard from other Officers on, say that only moustaches or WELL-trimmed goatees are allowed... For example, the redhead in that pic (other thread) would be ok, the guy in the middle would NOT.... I myself have a goatee, but I keep it very short, and as tightly groomed as possible so I maintain the professional appearance.

[N. A. Corbier]

Local police up here allow beards. I, being from the south, don't like the idea of it for two reasons.

1. Depending on the site, you may indeed require to put on some kind of face mask as PPE. Guess what? Your shaving it all off then, so why have it now?

2. The current military standards, which the police use, and we use, are no beards. Everyone looks to the US Military for guidance, and they've come back with: No facial hair that won't allow for a face mask seal.

However, most of these security companies should be aware that without a proper reason, OSHA will have a field day with them. Unless you can argue that it disrupts company operations, you have to accomodate people who can't shave for medical/religious reasons.

[Taser]

"Does your company allow beards for it's male officers and if so what are your thoughts on the matter?"
Yeah sure, and the female officers too. :D

[VET13]

I have a goatee and mustasche, always kept short and trim. The client as well as my supervisor has no problem with it even if I am in uniform.

[Lawson]

I have no problems with a well kept goatee.

[IrishGuard]

.....I prefer clean shaven or a moustache. Old-fashioned? Maybe. Just my 2 cents. :)

I guess it comes down to the fashion of the day and there was a time in history when it was fashionable, even in the military to wear beards.

However, I go along with Mr Security, as quoted above.

[EH126]

I used to work under a lieutenant at my mall and he had really squared away looking goatee. On the other hand, one of our sergeants who in his officer days had the nastiest goatee this side of the mississippi! :eek: :D

[Mr. Security]

.... On the other hand, one of our sergeants who in his officer days had the nastiest goatee this side of the mississippi! :eek: :D

Makes it easy for the assailant to grab the goatee so the s/o can't duck and then punch him right in the snout. :eek:

[hemi444]

you have to accomodate people who can't shave for medical/religious reasons.

I, Myself have had trouble and needed to get a medical note stating that I have very sensative skin and could not shave on a daily basis. the third or fourth day i will shave, this way I know that my skin has healed. I would love to wake up and be able to shave everyday.

[Mr. Security]

..... I would love to wake up and be able to shave everyday.

Not that you haven't thought about this idea, but what happens if you used an electric shaver?

[Bill Warnock]

Use an electric razor as Mr. Security suggests. Also use a non alcoholic before shave lotion and afterward, a non alcoholic after-shave lotion.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[N. A. Corbier]

Strangely, most companies I worked for (even the warm bodies) would not hire Hemi44. These were, of course, in Florida, where beards are "frowned upon." All of them had, as a pre-employment clause, a statement that:

Any person who cannot shave for medical reasons shall be deemed medically unfit for this job position.

[Bill Warnock]

How ironic, many police and fire departments have waivers for such conditions and beards for religious reasons are accepted without so much as a nod of the head.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[EMTGuard]

How ironic, many police and fire departments have waivers for such conditions and beards for religious reasons are accepted without so much as a nod of the head.
Enjoy the day,
Bill
Same thing when I worked for Department of Corrections. There were several Corrections Officers with medical waivers. As long as they kept them neat and trimmed then the State couldn't tell them anthing.

[Taser]

How about hair? Anyone "Bic it"? That is, a shiney razor smooth dome of a head. :D

[N. A. Corbier]

How about hair? Anyone "Bic it"? That is, a shiney razor smooth dome of a head. :D

No, but I come close. Razor it during all but winter. In winter, I put a guard on the razor. Need some hair when its 2 degrees out.

[Taser]

No, but I come close. Razor it during all but winter. In winter, I put a guard on the razor. Need some hair when its 2 degrees out.
I did it once for the summer to help keep cool. Didn't like it too much. I still keep it pretty darn short, but definitely not going to Bic it in the near future.

[Mr. Security]

How about hair? Anyone "Bic it"? That is, a shiney razor smooth dome of a head. :D

If you're overweight they might start calling you "Mr. Clean." :D

[Charger]

Nope... bic is for my face.. ;) I just keep mine nice & short in a standard military-style high & tight...

[N. A. Corbier]

I did it once for the summer to help keep cool. Didn't like it too much. I still keep it pretty darn short, but definitely not going to Bic it in the near future.
Wait, wait, wait! Razor to me = electric razor.

Bic = shaving razor. I specifically say, "Where's my shaving razor," since I use both frequently.

I use an electric shaver on my head for a high and tight. During the summer, I shave it all off in a recruit haircut. I still have hair. I am not Mr. Clean, nor do I require to buy head wax. :)

To clarify, I look alot like Gordon Freeman with hair, and Anthony Michael Hall from mid-season ER without hair.

[Taser]

The Mr. Clean look can make for a pretty intimidating uniformed presence on the right guy. I was scared of myself when I looked in the mirror. :eek: :p

I missed my hair though, so I let it grow back. :D

[hemi444]

The Mr. Clean look can make for a pretty intimidating uniformed presence on the right guy.

A few agencies in and around the frown on shaving your head bold due to some racial problems, unless you are naturally bold. One had gone to court because a group tried to say that he was trying to represent a racial hate group. I believe it was just the fact that a few arrest were made during an incident and they tried to come up with something to get back at the officer.

[hemi444]

For the folks that do have a medical condition, my Dr suggested that I try benzashave. Lets just say that it has done the trick.... This is only by prscription and it runs between $15.00 and $20.00.

[Marchetti, David, M]

Always thought beards looked bad with a uniform unless they are kept very trimmed and neat.

[CorpSec]

We allow beards, but I don't really like them. We do have training for PPE N95 masks and the officers that have beards or claustrophobia are deemed unable to wear them although that doesn't affect their job status one bit.

I am naturally bald, so I bic the sides so I am not sporting a hula skirt of hair. I think if you are losing your hair, you need to accept it and shave it all off.

[Dam Guard]

I agree that beards don't look good in uniform unless they are kept nice and neat. I feel the same way about hair. My hair is balding so I keep it cut extremely short and have a neatly kept trimmed beard and moustache. An SO
can have a beard as long as they are not on a first responder team where masks are required for Scott air pac ect. at the company I work for. All must be kept professional looking ( hair and beard ect.) and the supervisors don't mind telling someone they look like crap and better look different the next time they report for duty. This is as it should be, at least in my opinion. :)

[ACP01]

I have no problems with a well kept goatee.

Agreed exspecially since I have one :D

[investigator1usa]

I wear a high and tight or a fade and a short goatee.

[investigator1usa]

I wear a high and tight or a fade and a short goatee. :cool:

[EMTGuard]

Me with a goatee I grew in about a week. I took this photo after a 12 hour shift just after my supervisor finally told me to shave it off.
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m229/cellblock776/goatee1.jpg

[Mr. Security]

I don't care for facial hair, other than a mustache. Old school I guess. :o

[davis002]

I don't care for facial hair, other than a mustache. Old school I guess. :o

I'm the same way. I don't care if someone else decides to grow a beard, but I currently prefer to keep myself clean shaven.

[james2go30]

Strangely, most companies I worked for (even the warm bodies) would not hire Hemi44. These were, of course, in Florida, where beards are "frowned upon." All of them had, as a pre-employment clause, a statement that:

Any person who cannot shave for medical reasons shall be deemed medically unfit for this job position.
I am in Florida, and have neatly trimmed gotee. My company nor the client minds as long as I keep it neat...now if I were put on a site where they were not allowed I would shave.

[Miguel]

My company hasn´t any rule regarding facial hair. I suppose that a supervisor won´t say anything unless the beard is really bad kept and makes the s/o look like a homeless person.

The only rules that we have in this matter ban earrings and piercings while on duty, and demand short hair for men, not below the shoulder for women.

They aren´t strictly enforced, though. One of the s/o´s in my current site is a goth, and he´s got longer hair than most women I see on the street. :rolleyes: The company is chronically understaffed. They can´t recruit the best candidates...they´re happy if they can recruit enough of them.

[SecurityAussieStyle]

I nor my Company has any issues with Beards or any form of "conservative" facial hair, you must however either be clean shaven or have a beard, you can only grow a beard whilst on leave.

Long hair on males or earings is certainly an issue though not all security organisations in Australia feel the same way.

Incidentally we could never enforce a "No Beard Policy", local Unions and Government Oganisations would have a field day with any such employer.

[N. A. Corbier]

I am in Florida, and have neatly trimmed gotee. My company nor the client minds as long as I keep it neat...now if I were put on a site where they were not allowed I would shave.
I've never seen clients demanding clean shaven people before. I've seen blanket policies which are straight out of the Army's Uniform and Personal Grooming guide or whatever its called.

Do you work for a local company?

[james2go30]

I've never seen clients demanding clean shaven people before. I've seen blanket policies which are straight out of the Army's Uniform and Personal Grooming guide or whatever its called.

Do you work for a local company?
Yup. A local yet pain in the butt cheap and thrifty company that really hasn't a clue on a lot of things that I only became aware of since joining this site. But beard doesn't bother me if I shave it or not if they got to shave I shave if they cool with it I don't lol...rather keep it but if the post says I can't have it no big deal...job more important than the beard.

[Chucky]

I have that little sissy close groomed stash and the works like college professes wear. I don't think that my boss cares if I looked like ZZ Top guys as long I produce revenue for them. The boss and clients know that I'm not there for my good looks and seem to consider that and let me on my own. In fact I haven't seen my boss ever. Just keep those checks coming boss.

[ocp]

I think you should be in military type standards but there is nothing wrong with a short well kept goatee. I would have one if I was aloud. no earrings or long hair. I even think silver or gold teeth should not be aloud. does your local P.D. let their Officers look like crap, I did not think so. use them as a guide to what to look like, including uniform and duty gear standards. If you look like a joke then people will treat you like one. watch the coffee stains and cig burns also, I have seen Security Officers out there with both on their uniforms walking around like it was nothing.

I have worn plenty of coffee trust me, but I have and extra shirt with me in the patrol car (in my equipment bag, neatly folded up) or in the winter I would just zip the jacket up to cover my stupid moment.

you don't have to have a military type haircut, but keep it short and clean. if you want to keep your hair long tuck it into a hat like GIRLS do.

[tlangsr]

It depends on the site with our company. As long as it is well groomed I have no problems with a goatee and mostache. I just have a mustache.

[BadBoynMD]

It depends on the site with our company. As long as it is well groomed I have no problems with a goatee and mostache. I just have a mustache.

My companies standards on grooming is no beards are allowed. Goatees are pushing it, but if kept neatly trimmed is okay. Mustache's are also okay, but no handlebar style is allowed. As someone stated, majority of all police departments are para-military, and the grooming standards are mirrored.

I even go to the extent of you better take the time to go to the cleaners and have your uniform dry-cleaned and starched heavy. Creases better be so sharp I, can cut bread with it.

[sgtnewby]

Facial hair is permitted as long as it's kept neat and trimmed, no ZZTOP.
I tend to go with the goatee, no stache. Just the former heavy metal guitarist in me making the statement that even the "head-banging rockers, skateboarders, and snowboarders" can be just as professional, ethical, and community service minded as the guy in the three piece suit. :D

[Knight Watch]

When I worked for the Hut (wackenhut) in the early 90, Hair not below the shirt colar, stash had to be neat and trimmed, no beard or gotee.

At the hospital as long as it is neat and trimmed up facial hair it is ok. Long hair is discouraged.. Director:"if you want to take a chance and get drug around by your hair and get your face pouneded in thats up to you"...

As far as shaving every day thats ok unless you only shave once a week. Then you get a "hay man you growing a beard?"

I had a fumanchew (?) for about 7 years and was tired of it so I shaved it off. as for my hair I use a 1/4" guard.

[Mr. Security]

I think you should be in military type standards but there is nothing wrong with a short well kept goatee. I would have one if I was aloud. no earrings or long hair. I even think silver or gold teeth should not be aloud. does your local P.D. let their Officers look like crap, I did not think so. use them as a guide to what to look like, including uniform and duty gear standards. If you look like a joke then people will treat you like one. watch the coffee stains and cig burns also, I have seen Security Officers out there with both on their uniforms walking around like it was nothing.

I have worn plenty of coffee trust me, but I have and extra shirt with me in the patrol car (in my equipment bag, neatly folded up) or in the winter I would just zip the jacket up to cover my stupid moment.

you don't have to have a military type haircut, but keep it short and clean. if you want to keep your hair long tuck it into a hat like GIRLS do.

I did that last week. My new white shirt looked terrible and I didn't have the time to go back home and change it. After contemplating my next move, I decided to move my ID badge so that it covered the stain. It worked. :)

[theconstipated1]

I think Security Officers look very sloppy and unprofessional with with beards not so much with a mustache.

[N. A. Corbier]

Please do not reply to BoxerGuard's posts, as when they violate the rules, they will be considered spam and deleted.

[tlangsr]

wouldn't it just be easier to ban him so he can't post? you are the boss man though.

[N. A. Corbier]

wouldn't it just be easier to ban him so he can't post? you are the boss man though.

All I can do is remove spam posts. Only Geoff Kohl can ban people, or even tell them to stop. Since his posts violate the rules, I have chosen to consider them spam and are removing them as such.

Clearer now?

[EMTGuard]

In my original post I mentioned that the contract company I worked with did not allow beards or goatees. I had been discussing the policy with a coworker who wanted to regrow his beard but the company kept shooting him down.
The hospital I recently started working at allows neatly trimmed mustaches and goatees. So imagine his comments when I showed up to work a fill in night at the plant looking like this
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m229/cellblock776/stevemay08b.jpg
:D
He was green with envy.

[Taktiq]

Both my security director and also manager have full beards. They're kept well trimmed but, regardless, I think it looks idiotic in this line of work unless you're doing something like undercover loss-prevention. Goatees look fine IMO.

I don't recall seeing anything about facial hair in our departments' policies, but I would like to find out how I've seen officers running around with ponytails that extends down to the shoulder blades or have moustaches where the ends extend below the lower lip (almost "fu-manchu" style).

[CAPTAIN KOOLAID]

wouldn't it just be easier to ban him so he can't post? you are the boss man though.

High and tight clean shaved for me.

Oh tlanger NA band him before and N.A, know his ip address that's why he called him boxer guard, N.A. knows his stuff.

[darkenna]

Just the former heavy metal guitarist in me making the statement that even the "head-banging rockers, skateboarders, and snowboarders" can be just as professional, ethical, and community service minded as the guy in the three piece suit. :D

Hear hear.

For myself, neatly maintained goatee and well-maintained hair. By which I mean mid-back length, clean, groomed, and either tied back in a tight tail or braided. One can look professional with long hair and a beard just as easily as clean-shaven with a high-n-tight; it takes maintenance, diligence, and a willingness to spend the time making yourself look professional, just like with clothing, footwear, carriage, or any other point of appearance.

Oh, and I pity the next fool who tries to grab me by the hair. All the previous ones found out, to their rather pain-filled dismay, that trying to only accomplishes one thing: puts them within easy reach. And I know a whole boatload of different nerve pinches and joint locks that can really put a crimp into someone's day.

[Glock22]

I wish that we were allowed goatees or anything besides my stach. Every LE dept in our parts are allowed to have facial hair, our boss is just really old school i guess. I would do anything to have my goatee or my Fu-manchu back. as long as they keep them trimmed and short, they still look good IMHO

[junkyarddog]

High and tight with a very well kept goatee. Was too high and too tight at one point, my boss told me to get rid of the mohawk. I told him it was not a mohawk but a recon and is common in the marines. He didn't care. So a little less high now. Mustache alone looks obscene to me. Makes me think 70's prn.

[UtahProtectionForce]

most companies i have worked for are fully clean shaven, however the company i am with allows goatees, that are trimmed cleany, they have a set lenght too.. not sure or i would post lenth requirments