The face of the RCMP is literally changing 鈥� and it鈥檚 a bit hairy.

Last month, Canada鈥檚 national police service changed its grooming policy, allowing all its members to grow beards for the first time.

鈥淭he updated policy promotes a culture of respect, reflecting the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce, while maintaining high professional and safety standards,鈥� said national spokesperson Sgt. Tania Vaughan out of in Ottawa.

Officers may now wear facial hair of between 0.5 cm and 2.5 cm in length and bulk, provided it is neatly groomed.

The previous policy, written in 1975, required all members to be clean shaven unless they had a religious or medical exemption, or an operational requirement.

鈥淚t was time to refresh and review the policies using a modern lens,鈥� said Vaughan.

The issue is not without controversy.

In 2017, an RCMP officer in Moncton, N.B., for growing a goatee.

That same year, other members grew beards as part of a campaign to draw attention to their working conditions.

Vaughan said members鈥� response to the new policy, which came into effect May 22, has been 鈥渙verwhelmingly positive.鈥�

The rules also contain updated uniform regulations, including allowing for Indigenous items to be worn as part of ceremonial dress.

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