New NYPD rules on personal hygiene and uniforms for police officers are being challenged by the union

New York City's largest police union has sent a “cease and desist” letter to the NYPD, calling on the department to reverse its “unilateral changes” to its conduct and appearance standards that are set to take effect next month, the Daily News has learned have.

“It is already clear that these orders contain unilateral changes to the terms and conditions of employment that are subject to mandatory negotiation,” wrote Frederick Vasselman, an attorney for the Police Benevolent Association.

The NYPD's updated style guide, which bans clothing such as shorts, tactical cargo pants and white turtlenecks, is expected to go into effect on May 6.

The ministry is also considering a ban on wearing beards unless officers have medical or religious exemptions. In 2020, the NYPD relaxed a longstanding ban on facial hair, allowing police officers to wear beards if they wanted to.

Vasselman noted that NYPD police unions held a meeting on April 5 about the new style standards but did not see the new orders until they were made public.

Because the PBA and other police unions expressed concerns about the new orders, the May 6 deadline for compliance with the new rules was extended to an unspecified date.

Vasselman called on the department to “immediately revoke” the orders until everyone could appear at the negotiating table.

NYPD Inspector Paul Saraceno, who led a committee to review police uniforms, believes the new orders will ensure a uniformly professional-looking force.

“If you're not disciplined, if you're sloppy, that speaks to who you are,” he said. “We expect professionalism in every respect.”

An email to the department seeking comment on the cease-and-desist letter was not immediately returned.