Your agency's tatoo policy

[devil_dawg]

I just wanted to know if most LE agencies have a written policy on tatoos. The Marine Corps just came out with a new policy not allowing anything visible in PT gear. And you know PT gear is short shorts and little sleeve t-shirt. I would think that LE has more of a positive image to uphold than military does. What's your agency's policy?

[B-More Dawg]

Baltimore just instituted a NO visiable tattoo policy (actually, it was in place but now they are going to enforce it). If you have something on your forearm, then its long sleeves year around. It doesn't effect me because my ink is above my sleeve line, but I know alot of guys who are not happy and want to challenge it.

The general feeling inside is split. Many think tattoos are unprofessional and agree with the policy. Others don't like it. Personally, I really haven't made up my mind either way. I don't think it is very professional looking, but then again I think the dept. hired them knowing they have ink visiable, they should have said something before. And the dept. likes to use guys who are tatted up and put them in EXTREMELY dangerous situations as UCs, but then you go and penalize them for something you are benefiting from.

[ray8285]

Nothing is written but I wouldn't go out and get a tat of a naked woman on my forearm

[lexcoptk]

Our policy is that you not have any visible tatoos. However, those that had visible tats prior to the policies effective date were grandfathered in and are not required to cover them.

[SA13]

Can't have anything racist, obscene, or representing organizations/philosophies dedicated to the overthrow of the government. Beyond that pretty much anything goes.

[pujolsfan146]

Don't have any written policies. But....... Unwritten rule states they better not be visible. I have 3 and none of them are visible. I consider myself very tight with my patrol captain. He has helped me through a few tough situations. I told him about my plans on getting a new one on my bicep area. It is a tatoo of the leomf shield with the badge number of a deputy who I worked with and considered myself good friends with. He was murdered. The Captain tried briefly to talk me out of it but I still went through with it. No grief at all when I got it although it isn't visible while in uniform.

[SgtCHP]

During my career I do not recall any restrictions. I do, however, know a few applicants that were asked in their interviews what tattoos they had and were rejected because of their position and visibility with short sleeved shirts.

[J_Mann]

They must be in good taste. Obviously a naked lady on the forearm isnt gonna work.

Wanna know a trick? For the guys who are trying to get hired....Wear long sleeves to your interviews!

[dogcopper]

Our tatoo policy is getting ready to get restrictive. A great deal of the deputies (and command staff) have visible tatoos and there is fighting on both sides. We are hoping for a win/win from the PBA and the agency with a grandfather clause.

[just joe]

Don't have one.

[Gene L]

No policy. Tattoos are becoming more accepted, and two of our better deputies have visible tattoos.

No dirty tattoos, of course. That's not a policy, and it's never come up, but it woudl be a bar for hiring.

The USMC better grandfather some tattoos in or they're going to have a bad shortage of troops.

[S.O.444]

I don't think we have a written policy, but I don't think my dept. has much of a problem with them unless they depict naked women or gang tats.

Two of the guys on my shift have sleeves on both arms.

[dogcopper]

Agencies in many areas here have motor officers with sleeve tatoos on both arms with some "interesting ink". I have two small characters on each forearm and are religous. We look to see who gets picked to cover up and who still gets to "sport ink". Hoping for a Grandfather clause!!!!

[Tim Dees]

We just ran a story on a DC-area department that is requiring officers with visible tattoos to wear long sleeve shirts and/or turtlenecks, no matter what the weather. If you didn't know, the DC area is like a steam bath in the summer.

This policy is very much in flux right now, and I don't see it getting more relaxed in favor of tattoos anytime soon. For anyone aspiring to a law enforcement career and who wants a tattoo, this is my advice: decide now which you want more - the tattoo or the badge. Getting one may preclude getting the other.

[Smurfette_76]

Mine isn't visible and I have no idea what our policy is 'cause I wouldn't have on on my forearms anyway...but then again, I've never seen a woman with tattoos there that I considered to be a look *I* would like.