Automatic Disqualifiers - Uniformed Positions

The Scottsdale Police Department will automatically disqualify any individual who has:

  • Ever been convicted of a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Arizona.
  • Committed a felony, an offense that would be a felony if committed in this state, or an offense involving dishonesty, unlawful sexual misconduct, or physical violence while employed by a law enforcement agency.
  • Engaged in any conduct or pattern of conduct that tends to disrupt, diminish, or otherwise would jeopardize public trust in the law enforcement profession.
  • Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces.
  • Been previously denied certified status, have certified status revoked or have current certified status suspended or have voluntarily surrendered certified status in lieu of possible disciplinary action in this or any other state if the reason for denial, revocation, suspension, or possible disciplinary action was or would be a violation of R13-4-109(A) if committed in Arizona.
  • Illegally possessed, produced, cultivated, or transported marijuana for sale or sold marijuana.
  • Illegally or legally used marijuana (in any form including, but not limited to, THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, marijuana extracts or marijuana edibles/liquids/vapors) for any purpose within the past 2 years.
  • Illegally sold, produced, cultivated, or transported for sale a dangerous drug or narcotic.
  • Illegally used a dangerous drug or narcotic, other than marijuana, for any purpose within the past 7 years.
  • Ever illegally used a dangerous drug or narcotic more than a total of 5 times lifetime or exceeding 1 time, since attaining the age of 21. (This includes, but is not limited to, cocaine/crack, heroin, opium, morphine, LSD/acid, methamphetamine/speed, mescaline, or derivatives thereof).
  • Ever possessed or used a dangerous drug or narcotic while employed or appointed as a peace officer.
  • Illegally possessed or used steroids for any purpose within the past 3 years.
  • Have a pattern of abusing prescription medication.
  • Illegally possessed or used Adderall or similar drug, except as prescribed by a physician, for any purpose within the past 3 years.
  • Ever illegally possessed or used marijuana, dangerous drug or narcotic, steroids, or Adderall or similar drug while employed or appointed as a peace officer.
  • Had excessive traffic violations within the past 3 years.

Automatic Disqualifiers - Non-Uniformed Positions

The Scottsdale Police Department will automatically disqualify any individual who has:

  • Been convicted of a felony within the last 5 years.
  • Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces within the last 10 years.
  • Illegally produced, cultivated or transported, marijuana or a dangerous drug or narcotic for sale within the last 10 years.
  • Illegally or legally used a dangerous drug or narcotic for any purpose, except as prescribed by a physician, within the past 5 years.

Grooming Standards Policy

Tattoos

  • Tattoos are prohibited if visible on the face and front or side of the neck.
    • Permanent makeup, conservative in style, is permitted.
  • Tattoos on the back of the neck, hands, and behind the ear are permissible if discreet and not offensive.
  • DO NOT exhibit a tattoo or permanent body marking that could:
    • Be viewed as obscene, hateful, violent, or sexual.
    • Symbolize racial supremacy, drug or alcohol use, or criminal activity to include criminal gang affiliations.
    • Be negative or disrespectful to any person, group, or class of people.

Mutilations - Do Not:

  • Possess enlarged or stretched holes or other visible mutilations, markings, or intentional scaring of the ears, face, or mouth to include the tongue, lips, gums and teeth, or neck.
  • Possess visible dental veneers or permanent dental inserts with prominent and unnatural appearance, such as jewels, contrasting caps, initials, or other unnatural dental designs.
  • Display foreign objects, piercings, or jewelry inserted around or under the exposed skin.
  • Possess an intentional split or forked tongue.

Jewelry / Body Piercing / Makeup

Jewelry such as necklaces, is permissible when appropriate to the assignment and not a safety risk or distracting in nature is permissible.

  • Earrings:
    • Depending on the assignment, and after bureau chief approval, employees may be allowed to wear ear gauges or show visible holes in earlobes caused by gauges.
    • Employees are prohibited from wearing distracting earrings
    • Male employees cannot wear earrings while in uniform or while representing the department in an official capacity. Female employees in uniformed positions may wear one pair of stud earrings.
  • Rings - Wearing more than three rings is prohibited for all male employees and for female employees in uniformed positions.
  • Nose Rings - Female employees may be allowed to wear a small stud in the side of their nose. Only females may wear makeup so long as it is not distracting in nature.

Hair and Facial Hair

  • Ensure sideburns, beards, goatees, and mustaches are professional and neatly trimmed. The style must be consistent with professional appearance standards. Facial hair must be maintained at a minimum length of ¼ inch in length and a maximum length of ½ inch in length.
  • Ensure hair does not interfere with assigned duties. Style must be in a manner consistent with professional appearance standards.
  • For males in uniformed positions, hair must be cut above the top of the collar and the ears.
  • For females in uniformed positions, hair cannot extend beyond 6” past the bottom of the collar.
    • Restrain hair using pins, braids, or ponytails (be aware of the potential risks and hazards of wearing hair in a ponytail).
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