Associated Press
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — A year ago, Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski broke with long-standing tradition and allowed his officers to grow beards.
Now, that order has been rescinded at the request of the county health officer who says beards aren’t compatible with protective face masks.
“We have to follow the CDC guidelines because it protects the officer, it protects his family and it protects the community,” says Dr. Ernest Carter. “And so that’s why I asked him to change that policy.”
The Centers for Disease Control even posts a cartoon-like chart to make the point: Beards and especially the medically approved N-95 masks aren’t compatible. “You can’t have stubble. It has to fit on your clean-shaven face,” says Dr. Carter.
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When the order went out, 25 mostly African-American officers claimed a medical exemption.
Some have a condition called PFB (Pseudofolliculitis barbae), which prevents them from shaving. Dermatologist Dr. Chesahna Kindred-Weaver says it’s a very real problem for men with curly beards.
“Unfortunately, the skin treats the tip of the hair like a splinter,” Dr. Kindred-Weaver explains. “So it’s an inflammatory reaction but patients really feel like they have several splinters in their face.”
To those bearded officers who can’t shave, Chief Hank Stawinski sent a letter explaining they’d have to park their cars and go on sick leave. The officer’s union threatened to sue.
“What the guys were upset about is the fact they were going to have to use their own leave,” says Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 89 President Angelo Consoli.
Today, after hearing the concerns, the chief agreed that the 25 bearded officers would go on paid health and safety leave. The union is dropping its complaint. The officers are going home until the health emergency is over.