Dress code regarding facial hair and wearing of face masks

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.029907

I note you seek access to the following information:

Good afternoon, I am researching the wearing of facial hair within Policing.

Q1. Are front line, operational officers, permitted to wear a beard?
Q2. Are front line, operational officers, permitted to wear facial hair of any length?
Q3. Does your force have any policy regulating the wearing of facial hair?
Q4. Are front line, operational officers, required to wear Respiratory Protective Equipment, specifically FFP3 masks in certain circumstances?
Q5. If yes, what are those circumstances?
Q6. Do you require front line, operational officers, to be clean shaven when wearing FFP3 masks?
Q7. Do you require front line, operational officers to wear FFP3 masks in any of the following scenarios: -
Q7a - Dealing with persons known to be positive for COVID-19
Q7b - Exposure to blood borne pathogens (via cuts and abrasions in skin); this includes dealing with victims of fatal RTCs
Q7c - Dealing with or examining vehicles where the air bag has been deployed or other man-made fibres such as carbon fibre or similar has been damaged
Q7d - Attendance at ongoing vehicle fires or attendance at / examination of any vehicle that has previously been fire damaged / burnt out
Q7e - Attendance at fires in general
Q7f - Testing of drugs
Q8 - Did you ever require officers to wear FFP3 masks, for instance during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Q9 - If yes, were officers required to be clean shaven when wearing said masks?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 21 – Information reasonably accessible by other means

Reason for decision

I am pleased to be able to inform you that information which fully answers your first three questions can be found in the MPS Dress Code and Appearance Policy which is published on our website.

The document can be accessed direct via the following link: Dress Code Policy

As the information above is already published Section 21 of the Act, which provides an exemption for information reasonably accessible by other means has been applied to refuse disclosure in this case.

Section 21 – Information reasonably accessible by other means - The information requested has been identified as being accessible via other means as it is already published. Where information is already in the public domain we are not required to re-publish the data; instead public authorities are required to direct you to the information, which we have done in this instance. Section 21 absolute exemption which means there is no requirement to carry out a public interest test.

Disclosure

Q4 - Are front line, operational officers, required to wear Respiratory Protective Equipment, specifically FFP3 masks in certain circumstances?

If a local or corporate risk assessment identifies the need for respiratory protective equipment to be worn by officers undertaking certain roles then they will be provided with the correct mask.

Q5 - If yes, what are those circumstances?

FFP3 masks will only be worn if all other controls have been reviewed and deemed not reasonably practicable. For example some search activities may require an FFP3; forensic work and other duties where there is a respiratory hazard to control may also need an FFP3.

Q6 - Do you require front line, operational officers, to be clean shaven when wearing FFP3 masks?

In order for the FFP3 mask to work well the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) instruct that all masks must be face fit tested to the individual. For there to be a tight seal with the face, the operative must be clean shaven.

Q7. Do you require front line, operational officers to wear FFP3 masks in any of the following scenarios:
a. Dealing with persons known to be positive for COVID-19

No. Not a FFP3 mask.

b. Exposure to blood borne pathogens (via cuts and abrasions in skin); this includes dealing with victims of fatal RTCs

No. Not a FFP3 mask.

c. Dealing with or examining vehicles where the air bag has been deployed or other man-made fibres such as carbon fibre or similar has been damaged.

A local risk assessment would be needed.

d. Attendance at ongoing vehicle fires or attendance at / examination of any vehicle that has previously been fire damaged / burnt out.

No. Not a FFP3 mask.

e. Attendance at fires in general.

No. Not a FFP3 mask.

f. Testing of drugs.

This depends on the role undertaken.

Q8 - Did you ever require officers to wear FFP3 masks, for instance during the COVID-19 pandemic?

No.

Q9 - If yes, were officers required to be clean shaven when wearing said masks?

Not applicable.