A little late here (forgive me, I've been in Berlin scouting beards - more on that soon), but Philadelphia’s School Police are implementing a new dress and grooming code that bans goatees and soul patches, but permits beards. Besides the ban on goatees and soul patches, facial hair "just below the lower lip and above the chin," are also forbidden for men on duty.
As reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, "District spokeswoman Shana Kemp said Patterson was seeking to address "ineffective past culture among school police officers" and establish "a sense of discipline among officers."
So why are beards allowed? The same district spokeswoman noted, "beards are allowed in order to make allowances for those officers with religious preferences and those with skin conditions that are affected by constant shaving."
Michael Lodise, president of the union representing 635 part and full-time school police, stated that "I have guys calling me every day about the grievance. They want to grow it back."
But Philadelphia School Police are not the only law enforcement (or city) enacting these "groom" laws.
