Shreveport vs. Bossier City: How Police Grooming Policies Compare

Some questions are being asked by one Shreveport City Councilman about the police grooming policy. Gary Brooks tells me he recently saw a male police officer with a ponytail down the middle of his back. He says that just doesn’t look professional.

Is Long Hair Allowed by Policy?

We checked out the policies in both Shreveport and Bossier City.
When it comes to maintaining a professional image, both the Shreveport Police Department and the Bossier City Police Department have detailed grooming and appearance standards. While both policies emphasize professionalism, cleanliness, and consistency, there are key differences in how each department defines and enforces those rules.

Shreveport’s Policy: Detailed and Very Specific

The Shreveport Police Department’s grooming policy is extensive—covering everything from hair and facial hair to cosmetics, tattoos, and jewelry. SPD’s document clearly aims to present officers as “clean, neat, and well-groomed representatives” of the city, with precise descriptions for nearly every aspect of appearance.

In Shreveport, beards are allowed, but they must be neatly trimmed. SPD also allows religious and medical exemptions for beard length, requiring formal documentation and approval from the chief of police.

Tattoos must not be visible on the head, neck, or chest, and any vulgar or offensive imagery is strictly prohibited.

SPD sent this statement to KEEL News:

Officers’ hairstyles are subject to inspection by their chain of command and may vary based on their specific assignment. As outlined in policy, a ponytail is acceptable as long as it can be clipped up and kept off the collar. These situations will be addressed at the discretion of the command staff. During an officer’s regular tour of duty, the ponytail should remain secured above the collar.

Bossier’s Policy on Grooming for Officers

The policy in Bossier is a bit more restrictive in certain areas. Bossier City prohibits facial hair beyond sideburns and mustaches unless specifically authorized by the chief of police.

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What Are the Policies on Hair

In Shreveport, men’s hair must be kept neat, clean, and not touch the eyebrows in front or the collar in back—except that hair extending below the bottom of the uniform collar must be “neatly and inconspicuously fastened or pinned above the bottom edge of the collar.” This implies that a ponytail or long hair may be allowed so long as it is secured and stays above that collar line.

By contrast, Bossier City forbids male hair from extending below the top edge of the uniform or dress shirt collar while standing normally. Therefore, ponytails or long hair that fall below that collar are not permitted under Bossier policy.