Spanish Oddities
No excessive makeup or slouching for Spain's National Police
By m.p. - Nov 15, 2009 - 4:05 PM
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National Police and Civil Guard chief, Francisco Javier Velázuqaez, inspecting some of his officers - EFE
New regulations on conduct and grooming are under preparation
New regulations are under preparation for the National Police which include even a ban on slouching in order to present a professional image of the force.
Grooming standards will mean, for the women, makeup which is discrete and, for the men, hair trimmed above the ears and the collar and also a neatly trimmed moustache or beard. Women must keep their hair tied back to the same level as the men’s. Earrings are banned for the male officers, and, for reasons of safety, women must only wear those which are no larger than the lobe of their ear.
Sunglasses may only be worn in the open air when absolutely necessary, and must be kept in the uniform pocket and never on top of the officer’s head or hanging around the neck.
As far as conduct is concerned, member of the public must be correctly saluted and always be addressed as ‘usted’ - the polite form of ‘you’. They must be greeted courteously with ‘Good morning’, ‘Good afternoon’, or ‘Good evening’.
Europa Press notes that a lazy posture is not considered under the regulations to be consistent with the dignity of an officer’s position.