Seven years after its adoption, the Rulebook on the conduct and appearance of police officers could be amended and adapted, i.e., modernized. Some existing provisions are even discriminatory, which professional associations and police unions pointed out several years ago, and which was confirmed by the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality.
Until now, however, there has been no will for any changes. At the initiative of Minister Ivica Dačić, a meeting was held and the formation of a working group for the revision of the rulebook was announced. Thus, in the future, instead of a freshly shaved face, you could be stopped or identified by a uniformed person with a neat beard.
Belgrade residents commented on the topic of the physical appearance of police officers and how they would react if a police officer with a beard or a large mustache asked for their documents, as well as what they think about visible tattoos on law enforcement officers, and noticeable piercings.
-I had the opportunity to be stopped by such a police officer, given that I met them in Italy and other places abroad, so I wouldn’t be overly surprised, but I would accept to be stopped by such a police officer as long as he adheres to other norms of service rules, it’s not common here, but it’s a trend, it’s moving towards that – citizens said.
Beards forbidden by current rulebook
For seven years, the Rulebook on the conduct and appearance of police officers has been in force, which stipulates that uniformed police officers are not allowed to wear beards, while mustaches can only be up to the line of the upper lip.
Earrings and piercings are strictly forbidden, as are tattoos in visible places. Some of the rules were assessed by employees as discriminatory and they sought help from the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality.
Nenad Ljubišić from the Professional Police Association “Dr. Rudolf Archibald Reiss” said that he supports the change of the rulebook and believes that police officers are currently discriminated against.
-I think that police officers should be relieved, so to speak, of that injustice. I think they are discriminated against by the disputed rulebook because they are forbidden to wear tattoos and beards, which the Commissioner considers to be a personal characteristic of an individual and that they have the right to it in accordance with the constitution and positive legal regulations of this country – Nenad pointed out.
He also explained that covering tattoos in high temperatures leads to health problems for some police officers, and that this is another reason why he believes the existing rulebook should be amended.
-If a tattoo exists, it must be covered, and for that reason, there are some problems that in the summer months police officers who have tattoos on a visible part of their body must wear long-sleeved shirts at plus 40 degrees, which again can pose a health problem for these police officers.
Slavica Radovanović, a retired MUP lieutenant colonel, explained that the rules currently in force are burdensome for police officers, but also that all rules mostly applied to women.
-Most of that rulebook, unfortunately, applied to women who perform these police operational duties. It is difficult to have long nails, a large number of jewelry, a hair color that is really strong, dominant. Still, we must also take care of how we look and how citizens perceive us. So, this rulebook actually just needs to be corrected. Because the one that currently exists, it just needs to be adapted to modern trends.
And the trends are, the long-standing practice of Western countries, which has not diminished the efficiency or operationality of their police services. While the rules that are still in force here can be burdensome, especially if you have to wear a winter shirt in the middle of summer.
Meeting held with the minister
At the request of police associations and unions, with the presence of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, a meeting was held with Minister Ivica Dačić and the formation of a working group for the revision of the existing rulebook and harmonization was agreed upon.
Slavica Radovanović, a retired MUP lieutenant colonel, revealed that she supports the police officers’ request to be allowed to have tattoos in visible places because it does not affect their work.
-I absolutely support the idea of the “Sloga” union that a police officer here can have a tattoo in a visible place, that it does not disturb his actions at all, why not also a neat beard and mustache. Of course, it should not be extreme, but everything that is simple and pleasant and that will not primarily hinder police officers in safely performing their tasks and applying their powers, this new rulebook should also contain – she said.
Employees expect that in October or November 2025, when the law on internal affairs is changed, other by-laws will also be changed, and thus the rulebook on the conduct and appearance of police officers, and that in this way the MUP will join the countries of Europe.
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Source: Kurir; Photo: ATA Images