PC Neil Bloomfield of the Hampshire Constabulary claims he was singled out for wearing his gold ear stud purely because he is homosexual.  He told an industrial tribunal in Southampton that male colleagues who were not homosexual had flouted the rule without reprisal.

He claims he was branded a 'crusader' and a 'faggot' by one supervisory officer, bullied by colleagues and threatened with suspension after complaining about his treatment.  

The officer who works as a special branch contacts officer in Portsmouth, states that several other colleagues had 'slipped under the radar' while wearing banned jewellery on duty.  This included the force's director of personnel, Maureen Adamson, who wore a pair of large gold hooped earrings, he said. 

Another example quoted was where a 'straight' male colleague was allowed to wear a tongue stud while others wore nose rings, heavy gold earring and even eyebrow piercings.

It would appear that Hampshire have a rule forbidding male staff from wearing jewellery in a drive to improve dress standards, and also if the wearer or others were in places where the could face danger of harm.

Female officers may wear a small pair of stud earings.

Nose piercings may be worn only on cultural or religious grounds and no other body piercing is permitted.

The tribunal continues.

The above vide Daily Mail

I don't necessarily think that he should be ALLOWED to wear an earring simply because he's gay. However, by the same token if he was the only officer to be challenged, then that's clearly wrong.

Hampshire caved in.....

I am desparate to avoid gay stereotyping and cliches, but when I hear that this chap was so upset about his precious stud he was planning to claim compensation for "hurt feelings", it does make me smile.

I see that the result of the agreement is to remain 'confidential'.........er........

He continues to wear the earring = He won

He doesn't wear the earring = They won

Or am I missing something?

What ever happened to the class of person called POLICE ? This job of ours is a disciplined service and, at times, we have no choice but to get down and dirty. We protect the public and ourselves, impartially and professionally.........so what the heck is Pc Niel Bloomfield all about ?

I can imagine him sat at home thinking 'Im gay, Im proud and if I want to flout the rules I will anyway, they wouldnt dare challenge a gay man'

What a total insult to all those who are gay, who do not make it common knowledge in the work place because it really isnt relevant. It is people such as this that bring issues to the surface and prompt others into predujice.

Who knows how many associates have unusual preferrences behind closed doors ? The answer is, who cares until the matter is rammed down your throat. Then it forces a personal opinion.

As for Pc Bloomfield and his obvious issues, Im damn sure I wouldnt want to be stood next to him in a serious disorder situation if he is going to cry every time someone is 'Nasty' to him. Buck up or ship out mate, your doing no-one any favours.   

Well, that is the whole point.... he shouldn't be wearing earrings because they aren't part of the dress code.

In fact I don't understand why women are allowed to wear them and men not; I think they should be banned. But that's another story.

It's like me walking in work in high heels then complaining when I get pulled up on it and spouting on about female rights, and how, because I'm a female, I should be allowed to wear heels.

This bloke should have accepted the dress code when he first started and if he doesn't like it, tough! The uniform is there for a reason... to make everyone the same regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality etc.