Hands out of pockets, police told

7:09pm Sunday 31st August 2008

A police force has issued a "modern" behaviour guide and appearance code to its officers.

Norfolk Police told officers to "be polite and courteous", to dress "appropriately", to be tidy, not to use personal mobile phones in public view and not keep their hands in their pockets.

The guide also tells senior staff to tackle the "too busy syndrome" and address "negative trends", such as "tendencies towards frequent sickness, poor discipline, low workload, sloppy paperwork and laziness".

Bosses say "designer stubble" is unacceptable; officers must not wear jewellery "through the nose, eyebrows, lips (or) tongue"; make up can be worn "in moderation" but officers must not paint their nails in "extreme colours" and the code says long-sleeved shirts may be provided to cover "inappropriate tattoos".

Several Norfolk policemen have appeared in court in recent months. Judges have heard how a sergeant harassed and assaulted a woman, a constable put a woman in fear of violence and another constable committed fraud.

But a police spokeswoman said the guide had not been issued as a result of officers being convicted of crimes - nor was there a problem with police behaviour or dress standards. She said the guide had been produced as part of a "modernisation" programme.

The guide gives 10 pieces of advice relating to "personal standards" and seven relating to "supervisory standards". The code gives more than a dozen pointers on appearance.

"It is important we make positive impressions with everyone we deal with," says the introduction to the guide.

"What you say and what you do can have a lasting effect on others - both in their impression of you personally but also of Norfolk Constabulary."

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Learmonth said: "Creating a truly modern organisation is at the heart of our new Norfolk policing model. Making a positive impression on the people we have contact with is an important element of today's policing."

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