Chicago Police Department brass are cracking down on the appearances of some district officers who could face reprimands, according to a scathing internal email sent out this week by a police leader.
Officers have to wear “clean and serviceable” uniforms with no holes or tears, and they are forbidden from wearing hoodies underneath or tactical pants, according to the memo, sent out earlier this week by Area 5 District Deputy Chief William Betancourt, which was obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“We have spoken about this for the past 18 months and we are still not addressing the officers in the districts in regards to this!” Betancourt said in the email.
Cops also are required to have a full beard or no beard at all, no goatees, no earrings while on duty, no fingernail polish outside of neutral colors, no “faddish” hairstyles, and shirts will be worn “under the quarter zip,” according to the memo, sent to commanders of districts under Area 5.
Commanders, captains and all supervisors in addition to district officers would be held accountable for continuing uniform and appearance guideline violations, the memo said.
“If you cannot handle your positions/ranks and do what is asked of all supervisors please let me know, l will ask the Chief to assign someone who can,” Betancourt said in the email.
John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge 7, told the Sun-Times in a phone call the union has “no issue with looking professional across the board.”
“The department has had appearance standards forever,” Catanzara said. “The superintendent (Larry Snelling) made it very clear that was going to be one of his main motivations or focuses coming in.”
“They’re entitled to do it and God bless them,” Catanzara added.
As of Monday, roll calls now include a uniform and appearance inspection, and those not following the guidelines must be written up, the memo said.
“A suggestion if you are considering any officer for Merit and they cannot adhere to these standards, you may want to consider someone else,” Betancourt said in the memo.
“I will be attending roll calls unannounced, if your Lts and Sgts cannot get this together they can expect to be written up as well.”
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