HOUSTON -- Houston Police Officer Charles Mickens wears the badge he loves, but no longer the uniform.

"I'm professional enough to do my job over the phone line, but not professional enough to appear before a citizen," said Mickens.

Mickens was recently taken off patrol and placed on desk duty because of the Houston Police Department's zero-tolerance facial hair policy for uniformed officers. Critics of the policy say it unfairly penalizes black men, like Mickens, who suffer from a painful skin condition called Pseudofolliculitis of the Beard, or POB. 

"I've had it pretty much my entire adult life. Ever since I first started to shave," said Mickens.

On Monday, Mickens shaved for the cameras in a bid to demonstrate how difficult it really is. Within minutes, his face was bleeding and covered in welts.

"I'm shaving over raw skin," he said.

But as long as the policy is in effect, that's what it takes for Mickens to police the streets of Houston.

Earlier this year, several officers filed a lawsuit against HPD regarding the issue.  Both sides are in mediation.

But the mediation process has been going on for six months -- too long for many opposed to the policy.  They believe other officers have been suffering in fear and silence.

"This problem is bigger than we realize because there are a lot of officers. Many of them won't speak out," said Deloyd Parker, activist.

Mickens is among the few who have.

HPD said the facial hair policy is needed so that officers can get a tight seal when they wear their gas masks.  

Officials said there are ongoing talks to resolve the dispute.