If you plan on being a cop or fire fighter, does it matter if your ears are pierced?

Question

I have 4g tunnels and they leave a small hole in my ear when out. Will this be a problem getting into law enforcement or fire fighting? Advice from an actual cop or firefighter would be great. I live in San Diego, CA

Answer 1

No, they will just require you take them out while you are in the academy...don't forget to take them out for interviews too. My tongue is pierced and we aren't supposed to have that. I wear it while at work, but haven't gotten in trouble from a boss. When I was in the academy, for the most part, I kept it out or wore a clear one, but after awhile I didn't care anymore and put in a regular one. They don't allow earrings for safety so I could never wear those while patrolling. Just imagine putting out a fire or wrestling with someone on the streets and them ripping it out. Ouch!

Answer 2

if you wear earrings and you don't put your nomex on properly you could heat the earrings up during a fire and burn yourself.

if you wear earrings and a suspect grabs them in a fight they could rip them out of your ear or rip your lobe open

my fiance is a fire fighter, i am a member and we both know people who have burned their ears bcse of earrings

edit- if you are worried about getting hired or not for wearing them/having them.... leave them out during the process. they won't not hire you bcse you have them.

i know plenty of cops, emts and fire fighters with them. they just don't wear them while on duty

Answer 3

Yes, it absolutely matters. You are entering a conservative field. The people that sit on the oral boards make hiring decisions based on your appearance. They typically have no other info. about you in front of them, so when you walk in the door your first impression goes along way to you getting hired. Do you think the department would want you representing them to the general public. When you think of a "peace officer" do you think of a guy with tattoos, ear rings, piercing, etc. Most people would answer that with a resounding "NO". You are joining a law enforcement team, not a solo project. You do not want to stick out, you want to fit in. Sorry, I'm not trying to be hard on you, but I'd like for you to succeed. I personally have told candidates that we will not move forward with them because of their appearance. We want our candidates to portray a certain image, and body modifications is not one of them.  

Answer 4

I work with several officers who have their ears gaged they just can't wear them on duty.

Answer 5

Most of the guys here have an ear or two pierced, but my Chief would never hire anyone with their ears gauged. Also, his rule is: NO tattoos below the short sleeve. Sorry :o(  good luck!