Police Scotland postpone clean-shaven policy for officers after advice

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Police Scotland say they have postponed a new clean-shaven policy after taking health and safety advice and listening to officers.The policy, which was already delayed from May, would require many frontline officers and staff to remove beards and moustaches.The LGBTI Police Association, the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and others criticised the plans and four officers took legal action.

As reported by the BBC, Police Scotland have now said the policy would be reviewed again in 12 months. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: "I am very grateful to all divisions, staff associations and unions who provided valuable feedback during the consultation phase."Postponing implementation allows further examination of the evidence base for a policy which is proportionate and justifies change, particularly where that changes has a significant impact on officers and staff."This work will be reviewed in 12 months to ensure we reach an agreed position on a policy which has the health and safety of our people at its core."ACC Speirs had written a message on the force's internal website in April saying, with some exceptions, frontline officers and staff would need to be clean shaven so they could wear protective FFP3 masks.He said the implementation of the policy had been approved by the chief constable and it was due to be introduced on May 29.But Police Scotland had not carried out a consultation at this point and the SPF, which represents rank-and-file police officers, said it had been inundated with complaints.Police Scotland told the BBC it took the decision to postpone after seeking further health and safety advice and listening to the "lived experience of its people" - and the SPF welcomed the move.The federation's