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The Police Association has reiterated its support for the Chief Commissioner’s new ‘clean cut’ appearance policy for officers.
A group of officers say a ban on facial hair, pony tails, most jewellery and unnatural-looking make-up or nail polish is a breach of their human rights.
The Police Association’s assistant secretary Bruce McKenzie says most of its 11,500 members support the Chief Commissioner’s stance.
He says the police union will not support a handful of officers who are taking their concerns to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
“Our members want to look professional, they want to improve their dress and appearance standards, they want to gain community respect,” he said.
“A lot of our members have a view that by improving those standards, that the community respect that is so important in policing, will come more readily.”
Mr McKenzie says most members support the policy.
“Whilst we understand that some our of members are not happy, we believe that those numbers of members who are not happy are in the minority,” he said.
Copyright 2012 Australian Broadcasting Corporation