Bearded Vic policemen take legal action

8 Oct 2012, 3:00 pm   -   Source: AAP

Several officers have mounted a legal challenge against Victoria Police over their right to have beards and long hair.

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Victoria's police chief has been accused of victimising his own officers by forcing them to wage a legal battle against his new dress code while off-duty and out of uniform.

A group of about 15 male officers are challenging the force's new ban on beards and long hair by pushing ahead with a discrimination claim in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

They are fighting Chief Commissioner Ken Lay's decision to tighten up the force's dress code at the start of this year after they had worked for nearly 10 years under much softer rules.

At the tribunal on Monday, Leading Senior Constable Michael Kuyken, representing the bearded and long-haired group, added victimisation to the discrimination claim.

Const Kuyken argued that the officers were acting in the course of their duties and should be allowed to appear in uniform while continuing the fight against the policy.

The matter was set aside, to be heard on another date.

Outside the hearing, Const Kuyken said it was important to challenge the new dress code to defend the officers' individuality.

"The motto of Victoria Police is to uphold the right. Today is just one step in a lawful process of us upholding our rights," he told reporters.

Another officer said he couldn't understand why his neat and trimmed beard no longer met a professional standard while another said he didn't believe his soul patch - a tuft of hair below the lower lip - impacted on his ability to do his job.

A clean-shaven officer said he should be allowed to keep his long hair in a tight bun while at work, like female officers.

"We'd like to be treated equally," he said.

The matter will return to the tribunal on December 17 for a further directions hearing after both sides have had a chance to submit their claims and counter-claims.

The police union is not funding the group's effort.

A police spokeswoman declined to comment, given the matter was still before the tribunal.

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