OPO’s Policy Recommendation to Austin Police Department’s General Order 924.3.1: Hair

GIRL OF
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
May 29, 2024
Robin Henderson, Interim Chief of Police
Austin Police Department
715 E. 8th Street
Austin, TX 78701
RE: OPO's Policy Recommendation to Austin Police Department's General Order
924.3.1: Hair
Dear Chief Henderson:
A
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide feedback and recommendations for improvement
to the Austin Police Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 924: Personal Appearance
Standards.
The specific policies reviewed in this memorandum are as follows:
924.3.1 Hair
This policy analysis and recommendation addresses the current policy's noncompliance with state
and local law. In addition to prohibiting "extreme" styles such as spiked or partially shaven hair,
APD's policy lays out conditions for employees who wear dreadlocks, twists, and braids. In
restricting hairstyles traditionally worn by Black people, APD violates Texas' CROWN Act and
Austin Ordinance No. 20220609-0432 (Austin CROWN), which protects against any workplace
policies that discriminate based on natural hair texture or protective hairstyles.
Many police departments nationwide in jurisdictions, both with and without CROWN Act
legislation in place, model race-neutral hair policies: Philadelphia PD3 and New York PD, 4 for
example. The OPO believes that APD's policy on this can be refined to better align with
nationwide best practices. We look forward to addressing the items identified and improving these
policies to benefit the community and APD's sworn personnel.
Sincerely, Dail
Gail McCant, Director
Office of Police Oversight
1 CROWN Act, HB 567, 88(R) (2023) )https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB567.
2 Austin, TX., Ordinance No. 20220609-043 (2022), 20220609-043, Ordinance.
3 "Philadelphia Police Department Directives, 6.7: Uniforms and Equipment" n.d. Accessed March 15, 2024
https://www.phillypolice.com/directives/
4 "General Regulations, Procedure No: 304-07 Personal Appearance" n.d. Accessed March 15, ,2024.https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/about/about-
nypd/manual.page
OF
CITY
STUDENT
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20P0
924.3.1 Hair
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that APD amend 924.3.1 (a) Male Sworn Employees
OPO analysis indicates a need to remove restrictions to race-based hairstyles from APD's Hair
policy for male sworn employees as demonstrated below.
(a) Male Sworn Employees
1. Hair must not extend below the top edge of the uniform collar while assuming a
normal stance and shall not interfere with the wearing of any issued headgear. A
medical exemption is required for any deviation from this order. The medical
exemption process should follow 924.2.4 (a) 1-3 and also state the reason for the
deviation.
2. Dreadlocks, twists, and braids shall conform to uniform standards and shall
be
kept clean and neat. They must be proportionate in size, no larger than 1/2 inch in
diameter, and tightly woven to present a neat, professional appearance.
3. Decorative items will not be worn in the hair.
Recommendation #2:
OPO recommends that APD amend 924.3.1 (b) Female Sworn Employees
OPO analysis indicates a need to remove restrictions to race-based hairstyles from APD's Hair
policy for female sworn employees as demonstrated below. Subsequently, all example photos
currently used in this section of policy depicting hairstyles for female sworn employees should be
removed as they are unduly restrictive.
(b) Female Sworn Employees
1. Hair must not extend below the bottom line of the back yoke of the uniform
shirt (or comparable area on a shirt without a yoke) and shall not interfere with
the wearing of any issued headgear:
2. Hair clasps or barrettes may be worn but must correspond with the colors of
the uniform, employee's hair color or rank insignia. Decorative items will not be
worn in the hair.
3. Dreadlocks, twists, and braids shall conform to uniform standards and shall be
kept clean and neat. They must be proportionate in size, no large that 1/2 inch in
diameter, and tightly woven to present a neat, professional appearance.
4. Hairpieces or wigs shall not pose a safety hazard and shall present a natural
appearance, as well as conform to the grooming standards set forth in this policy.
2
OF
QUEEN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
CITY
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
1839
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
Recommendation #3:
OPO recommends that APD revise 924.3.1 to provide clear definitions
OPO analysis indicates a need to clarify the meaning of the word "extreme" in this section of
policy when referring to acceptable and unacceptable hairstyles for civilian and sworn employees.
APD should outline specific qualities and reasoning as to what is not allowed instead of merely
providing a list of examples.
A
UNDED
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