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Scruffy Spanish police told to clean up their acts

An internal police memo in Zaragoza, Spain, urged police officers to pay attention to their appearance after judges said the officers and defendants look alike.

By Ben Hooper
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ZARAGOZA, Spain, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A Spanish police commissioner has angered union members with a memo alleging judges have "difficulty" telling defendants apart from scruffy-looking officers.

The internal memo circulated in Zaragoza encouraged officers to improve their personal hygiene, cover up tattoos and take out their earrings while on the job after judges complained of having "difficulty in telling the police and the accused apart" in court.

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Gonzalo de Miguel, spokesman for the local Unified Police Union, said it was "an outrage to say that one could be confused with another because of physical appearance. Officers identify themselves immediately with their official badge."

"They've never said anything in court. And we go there every day," de Miguel told The Local.

A police representative said the memo was "a simple reminder about decorum."

"It encourages officers to present themselves properly groomed and dressed. In a jacket and tie, if possible," the representative said.

De Miguel said the union is asking for a meeting with the commissioner.

"He's tried to clarify it by saying that his only intention was that they should dress decently. It's an untrue and incorrect value judgment," he said.

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