Police will be allowed more visible tattoos and body piercings after dress code rules were relaxed.
London’s Met is now allowing officers to show tats on the back of their necks, as well as flesh tunnels – piercings which stretch holes into the earlobes.
Bobbies are also encouraged to wear beanie hats in cold weather, according to latest guidance.
Kevin Moore, former head of criminal investigations at Sussex Police, said the new relaxed rules were “ludicrous”.
He added: “Police officers nowadays often look scruffy. It’s normal for men to wear man buns. I don’t know where it’s all gone wrong.”
Mr Moore, who left policing in 2018, added: “Officers have to look smart and as though they mean business. It’s crucial to public confidence.”
But Met PC Belinda Goodwin, Police Federation wellbeing secretary, pointed out stricter rules could “get in the way of recruiting the right calibre of people”.
She added: “People shouldn’t be judged on what they look like but rather whether they’re good at the job.” The officer, who has seven tattoos, added: “Just because you have a few tattoos, it doesn’t make you a bad person.”
The Met was approached for comment.
