The San Francisco Police Commission voted Wednesday to amend the department's “grooming standards” regulation, after the SFPD was accused of being transphobic over the summer.
The standards on how officers should look drew attention this summer, after an officer was sent home for insubordination when he wore earrings to work. The officer reportedly identifies as non-binary and uses male pronouns, and the policy only allowed female officers to wear studs.
“It speaks to what officers are allowed to wear, and it specifically speaks and references gender in terms of the earrings and other jewelry or ornaments that officers are allowed to wear,” said Assistant Chief Bob Moser at the police commission meeting.
Moser said that didn’t align with the city’s policy on gender and non-discrimination.
“This policy will amend the current line of language, eliminating the reference to gender and female officer specifics, replacing the language with 'members',” Moser added.
Officers still may only wear a single stud that lies flat in each ear, and it can’t have any color besides gold or silver, but now both men and women are free to do so.
The commission's vote was unanimous.
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