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Hair In the Academy and Beyond

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Posted by: badgebunny

I am kind of confused about something...can someone please explain to me why female cadets have to get their hair cut short. Also I was talking to a trooper yesterday and he told me that even after the academy you are not allowed to have your hair longer than your collar, no makeup/nail polish, jewelery/earrings. Why??? Does the hair still have to be short or can it be pinned up/pony tail/braid, etc.? Just curious...for someone who is a "girlie-girl" and might want to join the State Police it might be a very difficult change for them.


Posted by: bbelichick

Be professional. In a career field where women are fighting for respect, do you really want to be known as a "girly girl" on duty? how you dress off duty is your own business.


Posted by: 7MPOC

As far as makeup there is no need to be gussied up with lipstick and eye shadow, if in a fight and sweating these things could get in your eyes and cause a problem. Other than a wedding ring, you dont want chains on your neck or anywhere else that someone get grab or possibly strangle you with.
As far as hair being long, again with hair down to the middle of your back its going to not feel so good when "johnny scumbag" gets a hold of it and pulls as hard as he can when your trying to arrest him.


Posted by: Killjoy

Most of the female recruits have told me that while they don't love getting their hair chopped, it gives you one less thing to worry about...and there's never enought time to do anything at the SPA let alone hair...besides, it grows back.


Posted by: badgebunny

I guess I am just confused.... do local academies/departments follow these standards. I am definately a "girlie-girl". But at the same time I don't care about getting dirty or working hard to get to where I want to be or doing what I must to survive. I was the only female with enough balls to go through OC training and the like in the Reserve Academy.

Someone posted about being professional...do you think that someone wearing makeup is not being professional? I am just curious to find out what ya'll think. Thanks for the replies.


Posted by: no$.10

Being overly concerned about your appearance, and how others view your appearance, (in a "girly" fashion) would be considered immature, as well as unprofessional.

You stated that you "didn't mind getting dirty", did you mean as long as you looked cute doing it? (Tool calender image)

To answer your question pointedly,

Female Troopers are allowed to have long hair AFTER the academy, as long as it is kept completely off the collar (without 20 clips, pins, NO visible decorations). Now here's the trick: Your hair can never rest on your collar, and you cannot wear 5000 pins in it, so HOW are you going to let it grow out??? You can wear clear nail polish. Make up at your own risk, but not at all advisable during break in. In fact, you better wait about ten years before you try that one. Only the very senior women I know seem to be able to pull that off.

At any rate, you shouldn't need all of that junk to establish yourself as FEMININE. Start by always being polite, never swearing (and I mean "Balls", too) and carrying yourself as a professional young woman. You will project what you are.

Last time I gave you any advice, you flamed me big time. Remember, you asked.


Posted by: dcs2244

We have a name for the "pony tail" thing: we call it a "handle". That is the handle some scumbag will use as he repeatedly slams one's head into the deck.

"War paint" is for indians (feather, not dot) and ladies of the evening. It is not useful for police work...for men or women! Jewelry, even something as simple as earrings, can damage one. Wear your wedding ring (but not your diamond), but understand this: police work is like a sport...the presence of extraneous jewelry could result in, perhaps, an avulsed finger (saw it happen).

One is not on "the job" to be a girlie-girl. One is on the job to be a cop. Think "Nurse Diesel"...

Be a girl on your time off...your co-workers will know by the way you carry yourself whether you are a gal....or a bull.

There was a gal in my class who was just cute as a button, with long honey blond hair down to her lower back. She was from the south and had that cute southern-belle accent going on. Day one they lopped her locks off above the collar...she looked like "Recussi-Annie". The gals spent the weekend trying to make their hair look like something...they did the "wash and go" look. In any event, she made it through the SPA and grew her hair out...

And like Killjoy said, there is no time at the SPA...


Posted by: badgebunny

Quote:
Originally Posted by no$.10
Being overly concerned about your appearance, and how others view your appearance, (in a "girly" fashion) would be considered immature, as well as unprofessional.

You stated that you "didn't mind getting dirty", did you mean as long as you looked cute doing it? (Tool calender image)

To answer your question pointedly,

Female Troopers are allowed to have long hair AFTER the academy, as long as it is kept completely off the collar (without 20 clips, pins, NO visible decorations). Now here's the trick: Your hair can never rest on your collar, and you cannot wear 5000 pins in it, so HOW are you going to let it grow out??? You can wear clear nail polish. Make up at your own risk, but not at all advisable during break in. In fact, you better wait about ten years before you try that one. Only the very senior women I know seem to be able to pull that off.

At any rate, you shouldn't need all of that junk to establish yourself as FEMININE. Start by always being polite, never swearing (and I mean "Balls", too) and carrying yourself as a professional young woman. You will project what you are.

Last time I gave you any advice, you flamed me big time. Remember, you asked.

Okay first let me thank you for your advice. Honestly I do appreciate it. Second I do remeber our private conversation and I recall that you sent me a "flaming" message in regards to a question. But that is water under the bridge and has nothing to do with this thread or the questions asked. So to answer your question regarding getting dirty while looking cute...the answer is NO!!! I do not need to look cute while getting dirty and I definately do not need "all of that junk" to look/establish myself as feminine. Anyone who knows me will tell ya that! I do apologize if I offended anyone with my language . I do not think that someone who is concerned with their appearance should be considered inmature or unprofessional (regardless if it is in a "girly" fashion). I think someone who DOESN"T care about their appearance is inmature and unprofessional. Just my opinion. Thanks again for your advice! Anyone else have an opinion?


Posted by: Wolfman

Quote:
Originally Posted by badgebunny
I do not think that someone who is concerned with their appearance should be considered inmature or unprofessional (regardless if it is in a "girly" fashion). I think someone who DOESN"T care about their appearance is inmature and unprofessional. Just my opinion. Thanks again for your advice! Anyone else have an opinion?
I don't see where long hair necessarily equates to looking good for a female.





Posted by: BlackOps

:fm:


Posted by: badgebunny

Wolfman I never said it did.


Posted by: Wolfman

Quote:
I am kind of confused about something...can someone please explain to me why female cadets have to get their hair cut short. Also I was talking to a trooper yesterday and he told me that even after the academy you are not allowed to have your hair longer than your collar, no makeup/nail polish, jewelery/earrings. Why??? Does the hair still have to be short or can it be pinned up/pony tail/braid, etc.?
Quote:
I do not think that someone who is concerned with their appearance should be considered inmature or unprofessional (regardless if it is in a "girly" fashion).
Combine the hair length question with the concerns about looking professional, the conclusion is that a female can certainly look professional while maintaining the inherent safety of shorter hair. I know many females (my own daughters included) who seem to think that short hair is an equivalent to hanging garlic around one's neck.

That's all.


Posted by: kttref

First and foremost, you don't join the State Police...they hire you.

Secondly each department is going to have their own GOP's on how they want females to wear their hair. Most State Police agencies will want it short. Here in CT during the academy girls must have their hair "boy" short, not a "bob", but "boy" short...and no GI Jane, shaved head, shit. You can grow your hair out after, but many keep it short. Especially during probation, from what I've seen/heard.

In the muni. academy, down here, you have to have your hair off your collar and any given time. But once you get out it's up to each department. I wear my hair in a ponytail 9 times out of 10 and have yet to have a problem with it.

Makeup is another beast in and of itself. Most departments say "minimal"...but at any academy it's NONE. Not even clear nail polish...But if you look around at the females who do tend to wear makeup on the job, they're considered whores for one reason or another...do you really want to be lumped in with that?

As to being a "girly-girl", fine, do it off-duty...while you're on the job don't do it. Don't play that card. Because if you truly are a "girly-girl", 20bucks says you won't make it anyway. And last I checked, most "badge bunnies" aren't in this for the job, they're in it for the men, which are the wrong reasons, and the ones that will get you hurt.


Posted by: no$.10

http://zing-a-gram.com/images/charac...cer_female.jpg

http://www.phototour.minneapolis.mn.us/pics/2749.jpg

You Decide.


Posted by: badgebunny

Quote:
Originally Posted by no$.10

Nice that you picked a picture that was posed and then compared it to one that was not. I think you are beginning to take this the wrong way. I NEVER meant for this thread to turn into a pissing contest! I just wanted to know what the deal was with the SPA and the short hair, no makeup/nail polish policy. I know PLENTY of female officers who wear makeup on the job. They are well respected members of their departments and no they haven't all been on for years.

kttref....you mentioned something about "badge bunnies" and in it just for the men... let me just tell you that this is one BADGEBUNNY that is not like that and I DEFINATELY want to do this job!!! I am sorry that I chose the wrong word "join" instead of "hire"...error on my part. Excuse me for making a mistake...

Regardless of hair length, make up policies, etc. don't we all just want to do the same job and be respected for the job we do?


Posted by: kwflatbed

Pictures Speak Louder Than Words




There are approximately 100 women police officers in the Richmond Police Department.





Sworn female officers of the Lansing Police Department




Canada



Michigan State Police officer


Posted by: badgebunny

Quote:
Originally Posted by kwflatbed
Pictures Speak Louder Than Words





Some of these women don't look squared away...sorry...just my opinion




Michigan State Police officer
Yes pictures do speak louder then words. If you look at this picture closely you will see that she is wearing some makeup and earrings. She does have a very cute cut...I like it alot! I don't see what the problem is with wearing some makeup. I don't mean go out there looking like you are working the street or have just come from Ringling Bros., but I think if it is tasteful and professional looking then what is the harm?


Posted by: dcs2244

My former wife is a cop. She is adept at the tasteful use of makeup in the lemming world. However, she does not wear it at work...it has no place when she's "lacing-up" Haystack Calhoun.

By the way...I am confident that she could put two rounds through your left eye before you knew it was time to draw your firearm, let alone 'rock'. And that goes for about 95% of the cops on this particular planet.

As I have said here before...when the grunnies are hitting the fan...I want the "X" at my shoulder! If you want to play "Barbie", this is the wrong line of work for you. Perhaps retail...say, "Lord and Taylor" would be more to your liking...


Posted by: Clouseau

Quote:
Originally Posted by dcs2244
By the way...I am confident that she could put two rounds through your left eye before you knew it was time to draw your firearm,...

Hmm, I wonder who taught her that?


Posted by: dcs2244

She's way better than me, Clouseau...and I'm not half-bad...but if she has a rifle, it gets even uglier!


Posted by: badgebunny

dcs2244...don't go making judgements about me when you don't even know me!!! I ask a simple question and give my opinion and get s*** on because of it! Like I said previously I want nothing more but to do this job and you are all making assumptions based on one statement. I don't care if you wear makeup or don't wear it, male or female, have long hair or not, whatever...I am willing to do whatever it takes to get into an academy and do the job! PERIOD!!! Maybe some of you are afraid that a "girly-girl" might do the job better then you! When it comes down to the bottom line does it really matter...I don't think so as long as the job gets done!


Posted by: no$.10

Quote:
I am willing to do whatever it takes to get into an academy and do the job! PERIOD!!!
You have answered your own question.

Be wary of assuming that there are no other "Girlie-girl" or feminine police officers already.

Good luck. (Sincerely)


Posted by: BlackOps

No comments from RPD931 yet?????????????


Posted by: copchika911



BadgeBunny - as long as it's not touching your collar - you can have it any length you want it. Mind you it should always be well maintained.



Depending on the academy you go to, they may have specific rules and regulations, which one would clearly have to abide by when entering/the duration of the academy. My hair is long and I keep it that way because that’s my choice. I also consider myself very feminine. It bothers me that so many females in this profession have to make themselves look/act so manly to be accepted or taken seriously. As long as you can do your job and do it to the best of your ability - you'll be fine. Just remember what you’re out there for.



Women DO NOT have to look like men to do this job. If you want to wear makeup - keep it natural and minimal. There is nothing unprofessional about it - Professionalism is your job performance, your attitude, and your character. Female officers that go over board with makeup tend to only make themselves look foolish. Something one would obviously want to stay away from. Lawyers, DA’s, Judges, they’re all professional, they were makeup and they’re taken seriously. The majority of the time people aren’t looking at the person, they’re looking at the uniform.



If you go into the academy - do what is expected of you, try your hardest and feel good about it at the end of the day - that's all that matters.



Good Luck!


Posted by: badgebunny

Thanks copchika911! What you said is what I was trying to get at (in a round about way...lol). I did find out that one of the local academies does allow you to wear makeup as long as it is minimal and natural. They don't want earrings and limit you on the rings. Hair can be pinned up as long as it does not interfere with the proper wearing of head gear. Thanks again!!!




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