If you want to work for the Santa Fe Police Department and want to grow a beard, don’t fret. Officers are in the second 90-day period that allows beards and other forms of facial hair.
“Up to this point, there were no beards,” SFPD Chief of Police Paul Joye told KOB 4. “You could have a mustache, but there were some regulations to what the mustache could look like.”
Now officers have an option of growing a beard or mustache. The facial hair policy came under review during feedback sessions with officers on how to improve morale and encourage people to consider a career in law enforcement.
“I tried to reach out to officers to try and get their feedback on where we are at, what are we doing well and what are some things we can do to improve and just get their general opinion,” Joye told KOB. “In those conversations, more than a few offices asked if we would consider making some changes to the facial hair policy.”
The change in facial hair regulations has helped with morale.
“A lot of guys are walking around with a little pep in their step, and you know we joke with each other,” SFPD K-9 officer Gerald Lovato told KOB. “Some can grow it and some can’t, so it’s been a lot of fun to experience this.”