The orders are clear: no beards, moustaches, mutton chops, goatees or ponytails. You’d think those were the rules to enter an upmarket club or bar, but no, these are the new rules Victoria Police have adopted to make the force more presentable.

They must have thought the new rule introduced in 2012 wouldn’t have tickled that many hairs, but now they find themselves preparing to defend their decision at the Victorian Supreme Court.

Sixteen bearded officers, including Greek Australian detective Vasilios Chrisant, have joined forces to defend their right to sport a bit of facial hair.
They say facial hair has nothing to do with work, and as community members they deserve to be able to express themselves as they wish.

“For 37 years I have not disobeyed command, but this order has nothing to do with my work, it has to do with my personality and with my image,” he tells Neos Kosmos.

“It is a matter of principle, so I decided, along with my other colleagues, that I claim the right to my appearance.”

Sporting a well trimmed goatee, Sergeant Chrisant refused to part with his hair and was suspended for three months with pay on March 25.
Currently, facial hair is allowed for medical, cultural or religious reasons.

Sergeant Chrisant doesn’t believe that having exceptions to the rule makes for a valid argument.

“This is what we cannot understand,” he says.

“If the police administration wants to impose a specific look at all, do it without exception.”

The bearded policemen initially lost an appeal to the rule when the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that found the ban was not discriminatory.

But that has not stopped them from taking the matter further.

At the moment, the matter is going to court thanks to the help of pro bono lawyers.

“Because the case is important and the first of its kind in Victoria, our lawyers have undertaken it pro bono,” he says.

If the case doesn’t go their way, Sergeant Chrisant says he will respect the ruling and say goodbye to his facial fashion.

It’s not just the men of the force that have to comply to strict rules of appearance.

Women in the force will also face disciplinary action if they wear make-up or nail polish that is not natural looking or in neutral tones.

Victoria Police says an overwhelming majority of police were in favour of the new appearance code.