ST. CLOUD, Fla. -- A new policy may lead to hairy situations at the local police department.

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Patrick Kelly, the new St. Cloud police chief, said he's letting his officers cut back on razor use, saying a beard is "not a negative thing anymore like it once was."

Despite a legacy of bearded leaders that includes Abraham Lincoln, Jesus Christ, and Ulysses S. Grant, modern police authorities generally frown on hairy faces. In Central Florida, most sheriff's offices banish beards unless a deputy proves it a medical necessity, such has having skin conditions irritated by shaving.

But advocates such as hairy plotter Jerry Jackson have promoted the right to bare whiskers. Jackson, 53, founded The National Beard Registry, which he hopes will help counteract negative stereotypes of beard wearers.

Jackson, a Pensacola computer programmer, said of the policemen, "It will give them the freedom to be the best they can be and not some contrived version of lookalike clones."

St. Cloud officers must have written permission and 10 days off in a row to grow their chin hair. No unruly whiskers, though: facial hair will be limited to half an inch.