Police Scotland has scrapped plans which would have seen many frontline officers and staff shave their facial hair.
Clean Shave Policy It was supposed to be introduced in May last year. But controversy arose and its implementation was postponed for 12 months.
The force has now told BBC Scotland News there are no plans to introduce changes.
Police Scotland paid a total of £60,000 to four officers who took legal action after being asked to shave.
The Scottish Police Federation – which represents rank-and-file officers – said the policy had “no thought, no consideration for equality and a tough attitude to common sense.”
In May 2023, BBC Scotland News saw a message on an internal Police Scotland website from then Assistant Chief Constable Alan Spears outlining plans to introduce a clean shaven policy.
The message said that while the threat from the coronavirus has decreased, there remain broader risks for officers — including fire — that require the wearing of personal protective equipment.
This includes FFP3 face masks that require users to be clean shaven.
There would have been exemptions for people on grounds like religion and disability.
But the Scottish Police Federation said It was full of complaints. And Police Scotland soon postponed its implementation to “allow for further examination of the evidence base.”
Force in July 2023 He said that his work will be reviewed in 12 months. To ensure that we reach an agreed position on a policy that is centered on the health and safety of our people.”
It came out in October 2023 Police Scotland paid a total of £60,000. The four officers who took legal action after shaving their facial hair.
David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “The beard policy was a policy with no thought, no idea of equality and a rigid approach to common sense and proportionality in policing.
“Let’s hope that as the police service evolves, so do modern attitudes towards people and family-friendly policies.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We have postponed the implementation of the policy until July 2023 after listening to our people and reviewing the health and safety evidence.
“There are no plans to introduce these changes.”