HPD's new dress code met with resistance

(1/06/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- The Houston Police Department's new dress code is now in effect. It became department policy on January 1 and prohibits uncovered tattoos on officers.

This is becoming a hot-button issue downtown with HPD administration and the union which says it's not needed.

In his quest to make the streets of Houston safer, Police Chief Harold Hurtt has said all along that he wants his officer looking professional. But many in the rank and file believe his efforts to clamp down on their grooming habits are slightly misguided.

"I think we need to be concerned about the homicide rate. I think we need to be concerned about staffing issues we have, about being able to run calls for service in a timely fashion," said HPD Officer J.E. Tippy. "I think there's a lot of other bigger issues the citizens of Houston would be concerned about."

While officers with tattoos must now cover them up, the chief has backed off another part of the policy dealing with facial hair.

He's waiting for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to finish its investigation and for the department to issue its officers special gear specially designed for a terrorist attack.

"We have been told that the face mask that is part of this equipment will not make a proper seal on the face of a person who's wearing a beard," Lt Robert Manzo with the Houston Police Department told us.

The argument some officers are making is that they suffer from a skin condition preventing them from shaving.

"The across-the-board no facial hair may have to be looked at in an individual's accommodation and if it's reasonable enough," said Joe Bontke with the EEOC. "That's what the law says."

Houston Police Department Union President Hans Marticuic says it's all the reason more for the department to be more flexible with its policies.

"We haven't had any complaints. We haven't had a citizen complain on any officers regarding the tattoo," he said. "We're talking about service tattoos as well as others. It just doesn't seem to make any sense."

This isn't the last time we're going to hear about this issue. Marticuic says he plans to discuss the matter with Chief Hurtt next week.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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