UMPD Dress Code Regulations to Affect New Applicants

Upper Moreland Police Chief Thomas Nestel presented a proposal to the Finance and Administrative Committee Feb. 27 that would make the Upper Moreland Police Department (UMPD) dress code more uniform.

Nestel said that over a year ago, the UMPD adopted an internal policy putting officers with visible tattoos, branding or body-modifying jewelry in violation of the department’s dress code.

The new proposal would make this UMPD internal policy a requirement for future police applicants.

The current applicant qualifications, as outlined in section 3.6 of the township’s Civil Service Rules, do not mention these dress code violations. 

According to Nestel at the committee meeting, a number of police personnel currently have visible tattoos or body modifications, but are exempt from the internal policy, as these officers were hired before the policy’s establishment.

These officers, however, would be prohibited from acquiring additional tattoos or body modifications.

The proposal will directly affect applicants with tattoos on their forearms, as the UMPD has short-sleeved uniforms for warmer days of the year.

The department also has shorts as part of its bike patrol uniform, and new officers with tattoos on their calves would be disqualified from that patrol.

“We’re presenting a professional appearance to the residents of Upper Moreland,” Nestel said. “Legally, we can’t do it (without the new proposal).”

During the meeting, Nestel emphasized that the proposal would be a legal shield to protect the township from litigation by officers who may be deemed out of uniform, or rejected applicants who may be unaware of the internal policy.

Ward 1 commissioner Lisa Romaniello, speaking from the audience, expressed her disapproval of the proposal.

“We have a lot of women and men who served our country, and (tattoos) are not uncommon,” Romaniello said, adding that she is not a personal advocate of tattoos. “I find this a little too stringent.”

Romaniello later added that she would feel uncomfortable approving this proposal, foreseeing possible discrimination lawsuits.

Ward 5 commissioner Kip McFatridge, who sits on the Finance and Administrative Committee, seconded Romaniello’s point, saying that police applicants could be former Special Forces.

“We want top candidates,” he said.

Although McFatridge had his reservations about the proposal, he did help pass it along to the full board for final approval.

Nestel responded that the department would be eager to have veterans as cops, but the concern lies with other applicants who may have tattoos, brandings or jewelry that could be seen as offensive.

Nick Scull, chairperson for the Upper Moreland Democratic Committee, questioned whether or not tattoos should be legislated.

“Can the government put a standard on people on what’s proper or what’s not proper?” Scull said, recognizing that police officers may be a different case.

According to Nestel, other municipalities have a similar dress code requirement for their officers and police applicants.

“I am in favor of this,” Donna Parsell, Ward 3 commissioner, said from the audience. “I think that it has to be an all or nothing policy.”

She added that current technology would make it easier to remove tattoos, and that jewelry stretching earlobes would be a safety hazard for a police officer.

The new proposal would also include a residency requirement for future police applicants.

The suggested change was moved forward at the Finance and Administration meeting and will now await final approval of the full Board of Commissioners.