Ignore beardless cops, says activist band

A ponytail prohibition and beard-ban for police officers has drawn the ire of well-known hirsute band, The Beards.

Condemning a court decision to uphold a ban on growing tails and bushy faces in the Victorian Police force, the self-proclaimed "beard-orientated activist-rock band" called on Melburnians to ignore all beardless officers.

"As long as an officer looks presentable, the only thing that should matter is the quality of his or her police work," the South Australian band said in a statement on Thursday.

"For this reason, we call on all Victorians to disobey the orders of all beardless police officers until this decision is reversed and the ban lifted.

"Victoria Police have limited the pool of potential new recruits, which will in turn weaken the overall quality of the police force."

AAP also took to the streets to get a feel for what some described as rough justice.

Jeremey, who sports a goatee, reckons the decision is like his chin, "a bit rough".

"Although the full combo, a beard and ponytail would look too much like the people they are trying to catch," he said.

Anthony, who once had a beard but is now proudly clean shaven, thinks the ban is a form of discrimination.

"In this day and age it is, although as long as they're neat and tidy, we want some respect from our police," he said.

However John, who believes an enforced beard boycott is a fair call, says: "We must keep them (police) respectable."

AAP