Police take dim view of shady officers

Fife Constabulary has become the first force in Scotland to ban the aviator shades favoured by American motorcycle cops and US troops because they do not reflect a professional image.

The ban is included in a chapter on sunglasses etiquette in a new guide on police dress and conduct, which also forbids officers to chew gum or eat and drink in their cars. It follows moves to outlaw arm tattoos because of the risk to their public image.

Critics have derided the 24-page guide as a “waste of money” at a time when police forces are facing cutbacks but a leading psychologist said the ban on mirrored shades could be a positive move away from “intimidating” US-style policing.

In its Dress and Personal Appearance Standard Operating Procedures guide, Fife Police say they are “committed” to providing the public with a “high level of professionalism and quality of service”.

“Our appearance is critical to this commitment, as perceptions are quickly formed based on first impressions, which can be difficult to change. We must, therefore, seek to present a positive and professional image at all times and ensure this image reflects and reinforces the high standards of service we aim to provide.”

The shades section, simply headed “Sunglasses”, offers strict guidelines for officers and other staff. “Spectacles and sunglasses, must be of a suitable, discreet pattern and may be worn at the individual’s own risk,” it says. “They should be constructed of unbreakable material to prevent injury.”

Officers “with a need” to wear sunglasses are asked to comply with several conditions. “Mirrored lenses are not permitted”, says the guide. And sunglasses “will only be worn in bright sunlight when driving a car, riding a motorcycle or pedal cycle, during road traffic related duties or in circumstances where a significant level of personal risk exists.”

Any sunglasses “must be removed when dealing with an incident or speaking with members of the public”.

Chewing gum is also “unacceptable” and officers are also banned from consuming food and drink in their cars.

An entire section is devoted to rules relating to mobile phones. Personal phones can be carried but must be on “discreet” or “vibrate” mode at all times to “minimise distractions and inconvenience to colleagues and … the public”.

“Ringtones applied to any phones should not detract from the professional image of the organisation while at work. All officers and staff should adopt a standard telephone ringing tone and not a musical or other inappropriate form of ringtone whilst at work. This is to avoid embarrassment or the portraying of an unprofessional image.”

But on the mirrored sunglasses ban, Ewan Gillon, professor of psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University, and clinical director of First Psychology Scotland, said: “Eye-to-eye contact is one of the primary ways in which we establish trust with other people. Not to be able to see someone’s eyes makes it very difficult for trust to be established. You need to be able to build trust for people to feel secure and for people to feel you are asserting yourself properly.

“Mirrored sunglasses prevent the eyes being visible in any shape or form. It can be very intimidating to members of the public and can invoke images of American cop-style policing.”

According to the Fife Police guide, pullovers can only be worn in police offices and officers are not allowed to roll their sleeves up.

A section on hair advises officers that dye may be used provided the resultant colour is “natural” or “neutral”.

But Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance branded the rule book as a “waste” of money. He said: “Police chiefs shouldn’t be tying officers in knots with rules and regulations over issues which just require a bit of common sense.

“Taxpayers want their money spent on bobbies on the beat, not rulebooks telling officers what to have as their ringtone or where to eat lunch.

“Whilst some of the advice might have significance because of the unique job the police do, most of this is simply interfering codswallop.”

A Fife police spokeswoman would only say: “All police officers and staff wear uniform or clothing appropriate to their duties.”