Facial hair & FBI

[Htown8]

I was wondering if anyone knows the FBI's official policy regarding facial hair.  I have passed Phase I and am in the process of completing the FD-140.  I currently have a goatee and mustache (and happen to like it!) but at the same time realize that this may not fit with the professional, "clean cut" image that the Bureau maintains.  So again, just wondering what the official policy is, and if I should begin sharpening my razor before (hopefully) entering Phase II.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Mark Mallah]

Having been an agent, I can tell you that the Bureau allows facial hair.  I never saw any official policy, other than that agents should appear professional and well-groomed, but lots of agents had mustaches, some had beards, et al.

You will be polygraphed on the amount of facial hair that you have.  If you only have a mustache but the examiner determines, from the charts, that you also have a beard, and you do not confess to having a beard, your application will be rejected

[George W. Maschke]

Htown8,

Although facial hair may be allowed, there are cultural prejudices against whiskers that could adversely affect you. It is for this reason, for example, that although moustaches are allowed in the US Army, soldiers with moustaches typically shave them off before having their official portrait (which will be seen by promotion boards) taken.

Similarly, it would probably be to your advantage to shave before entering Phase II. But before you sharpen your razor and shave, I suggest that you read my article, "Just Say 'No' to FBI Polygraphs" and consider whether the risk of a false positive outcome on the polygraph is one you're willing to take.

[Saidme]

All right, now we're giving out grooming tips with the old .....by the way, don't take that polygraph..... as an added bonus.