Thomas Strain: White Philly Cop Can't Have Cornrows

PHILADELPHIA — Police in Philadelphia say a white officer who came to work with cornrows was ordered by a black superior to get a haircut because the braids violated department standards. The Philadelphia Daily News reported Monday that Officer Thomas Strain was put on desk duty this month because of the braids, even though the paper reported dozens of black officers wear cornrows.

Police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore says Strain's boss told the officer to cut his hair to look more "professional."

Vanore says officers' hats must fit "in a military manner" over their hair, and that Strain's hat did not. Strain got a haircut; he declined comment to the paper.

Vanore recalled only one black officer with braids in the past several years. He says that officer also was told to get a haircut.

Comments

[TexMex69]

Do most people not realize that the reason he did this was to be told NO.
He'll now sue saying he was discriminated against...­.

[Nettrice]

Obviously cornrows are an African/Af­rican-Amer­ican hairstyle. What the European equivalent and do black cops get in trouble for wearing their hair that way? Of course NOT! smh

[jws2346]

And here I thought only the Marine Corps told you how to wear your hair (only kidding, I hear ALL branches of the service have hair restrictions) On to a cereal topic, what difference does it make what what kind of hair doo' he has (within reason) as long as he's a good and dedicated policeman. These instigators just never give up

[Chubbster]

For all the screams of racism that constantly appear on these pages, here we actually have a genuine example.

[jack7576]

one rule for everybody

good job

[SmileyBrooks]

Huh? Did we read the same article?

"...even though the paper reported dozens of black officers wear cornrows."

[DevonTexas]

Such a fuss!

[Betrayed]

Good.

Cornrows are for thugs only.

[MerhabaAbi]

Wow. What are some non-thugish haircut?

[Nettrice]

How about the Beatles bowl cut? Or the Liberace pompadour?

[SmileyBrooks]

And obviously Philly Cops who are not white...

[texaz3step]

Kudos for making him get a hair cut and looking presentable. Law enforcement is fighting a battle with the public as it is. You can do what you want on your time off but you have an image to present when you are wearing the uniform and dealing with the public.

[EvieEve]

This is a non story. Sorry, it's not a hair cut I'd like to see any officer of the law wearing black or white. Actually, guys shouldn't even wear cornrows after the age of 25.

[Tugar]

GOOD......

I'M BLACK, I LIVE IN PHILLY AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO SEE A FINE LOOKING, BLACK-AFRICAN AMERICAN-MALE POLICE OFFICER SHOWING UP TO ASSIST ME WEARING CORNROWS EITHER !

I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT THE WOMEN PART OF THIS ISSUE ! BUT ON MEN, CORNROWS JUST DOESN'T DIGNIFY THE UNIFORM AT ALL, JUST LIKE A WHITE MALE OFFICER SHOWING UP WEARING A MOHAWK CUT, I WOULDN'T WANT TO SEE THAT EITHER !

PEACE !!!

[local21]

A WHITE MALE OFFICER SHOWING UP WEARING A MOHAWK CUT----- Mr T wannabe ?

[Tugar]

No, as in a ONE-LINE DOWN THE MIDDLE, CREWCUT-MOHAWK LOOK ! As in a SKIN-HEAD LOOK !

[Tazru]

You are worried about the Fashions the Police wear?

I am more worried about all the out of control Cops. I do not care how they dress or wear their hair, I want to have professionals that are trustworthy, we do NOT have that now.

We need Police Reform, stop worrying about their Fashion Statements!

[Roy Heath]

If this is true, that is a pure example of racism.

[Essentialboom]

How is it racism when he made the black officer cut his hair as well?

[Nettrice]

It's racism because the white guy couldn't do it. It's another day at the officer for the black guy who had to cut his hair...rac­e had nothing to do with it. smh

[Roy Heath]

Operative term 'If'. I am still skeptical on the true details. I have seen things like this happen first hand. But the atmosphere suggested is tinged with racism. Many blacks feel insulted when they see a white wearing cornrows. So I can see how 'if' the motive was primal insult, and not following policy, how it could be racist, on the part of the superior. On the other hand, if the white cop decided to wear cornrows just to get a rise out the officer, egging on the situation, that in itself is racist, despite the policy.

IMO, it's a dumb idea to wear cornrows as a law enforcement officer, period. Cornrows have been stigmatized as a black thing, either you're Arab or Asian, in the American culture (with the exception of Bo Derrick), cornrows = black.

[KIVPossum]

If they are honest saying black officers who had them were asked to cut their hair, then there isn't a problem. An employer can make and enforce dress codes as long as they are enforced consistently.

[bzb]

I have no problem with him waring cornrows or braids.

[sueno]

Me either-
This is stupid and a waste
of tax-payer monies.

[bzb]

He should be able to wear his hair as he chooses so long as it falls within department guidelines. If he asked him to get a haircut and look more professional than the other officers should also have to get a haircut.

And I can remember before the movie "10" came out, white women used to talk down about AA women and braids but as soon as Bo Derek was seen with them in 1979 then it became vogue for white women to wear cornrows.

[angryliberal]

I always thought they were required to wear hats anyway.