Houston Community News >> Chinese Cops Gets Image Makeover
6/21/2007 Beijing - No more
brightly dyed hair, flashy jewelry or smoking in public for China's police while
they're in uniform, state media reported Thursday.
Xinhua News Agency said repeat offenders would be fired under new rules from the
ministry of public security.
Police have been banned from dying their hair unnatural colours, wearing jewelry
and smoking in public while in uniform, the agency said.
It said officers who arrive for work with coloured hair will be ordered to
return it to the original colour, while necklaces and rings will be banned.
"Minor offenders will be lectured and asked to mend their ways," Xinhua quoted
the regulations as saying. "Those who repeatedly break the rules or whose
behaviour has a detrimental impact could be sacked."
Female officers are also banned from "wearing scarves and having varnished
fingernails."
"Police officers in uniform must not smoke in public places, drink, or go to
entertainment venues for personal reasons," the regulations say.
Xinhua said poor police behaviour has been one of the biggest complaints in
cities like the capital, Beijing.
The report did not mention the 2008 Summer Olympics, but Beijing residents have
been repeatedly told to stop spitting and to wait patiently in lines to improve
the city's image ahead of the Games.
(Contributed by AP)