Police Scotland pays out £60,000 to officers over beard ban

Police Scotland has paid out around £60,000 to officers who were told to shave their beards off.

The force was inundated with internal complaints after it announced plans to introduce a new clean-shaven policy for frontline officers earlier this year.

The rule was due to come into force at the end of May.

Police Scotland said the proposals would give workers the “best protection” while wearing protective FFP3 masks on duty.

But the force then postponed the controversial change.

Four officers took legal action against Police Scotland over the clean-shaven policy.

The Scottish Police Federation represented the officers who received around £60,000 between them.

The compensation was awarded for lost overtime and stress after certain line managers the no-beard policy implemented prior to it officially existing.

As part of this they were banned from working any overtime and assigned to desk duties.

“They’ve been asked to drastically change their appearance,” said David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation.

“Some had to go off sick due to the stress involved.

“I know it sounds silly, but for some officers their family don’t know what they look like without a beard.

“The officers were under a lot of stress due to this instruction and the SPF represented them by lodging employment tribunals which have now been resolved with an out of court settlement.

“This policy had an impact on their health, could have had an impact on their appearance and on their family life.

“It’s hoped the service will learn from this and any equality issues are properly looked at before any policies are implemented and consulted on.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “These claims have been withdrawn, however we are unable to comment on the details of the agreed settlements.”