Current tattoo policies out dated?

[71MUSTY]

I am not sure where you get the idea that an employer asking an employee to cover their ink is discrimination.

And just because you think a employers policy is outdated doesn't really matter.

When you go to work you represent the employer. When you put on the uniform you represent the department.

Getting ink is a personal choice. And like all personal choices they carry prices.

I sick and tired of people wanting me to suffer from the costs of their bad choices.

You knew when you got the ink it now parts of society viewed it and would view you. You made your decisions with that in mind, but now you want a pass from that decision.

While I will agree having lots of ink does not reflect on your Morals it certainly reflects on your decision making skills. We have enough LEO's with poor decision making skills already.

Full body ink is a FAD of your generation and like all fads it's appeal will fade.

[tyrist]

You must have tattoos on your head.

[Samuelx]

As someone who also has a few tatts, I'm in full agreement with the policy. If someone is unwilling to remove his/her tatts or even simply cover them, it's pretty obvious to me where his/her priorities lie (i.e. he/she doesn't want it bad enough).

[Country_Jim]

First off, thank you for your service. It is because of men and women like you that my family can enjoy our freedoms.

I work in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have ink (it stays covered), however plenty of my coworkers and officers/deputies from surrounding agencies have visible ink. Each department sets its own standards regarding ink, some allow visible ink, some don't. I would suggest applying at departments that allow visible ink.

If being LE is your goal, do some research and apply at multiple departments. Don't give up, it may take awhile, but the ride is worth the price of admission.

Stay safe.

[yzErnie]

Most depts have a "No show" policy. Unless you have them on your hands, head or face it shouldn't be an issue.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

If your tats are visible while wearing a short sleeve t-shirt and long pants, I would not hire you. not for a cop not for a RN, not for a janitor. Not for anything.

For those who have tats and think that others should be accepting regardless, ask your self how you feel about someone who is openly gay. If they applied for a job and were open, would you hire them even if you disagree with their choice? How about a woman who states she has had several abortions. What then?

Many people equate tattoos with a certain lifestyle. A lifestyle that many don't agree with. Now I understand that not everyone with a tattoo is a gang member but historically they have been identified with rebellion. Don't want to be judged harshly by society ? Don't want to be discriminated against?

We are free to make choices but not free from the choices we make.

[TRICKSTER]

In the 21st century, we should be past this. We're not, but we should be.

Past what? Reasonable standards, common sense, personal responsibility.

[Josh3239]

It is not like it is a secret that there is a stigma with tattoos and they can cut down on your job choices. Getting them has life consequences. That is part of what is wrong with my generation. They want to load up on ink regardless of how dumb the ink is, it is easy to put on, put no thought in to the future, and then when one person doesn't like it they feel discriminated against, and they need the whole world to change to their paradigm.

Just a few days ago a guy sued a restaurant for kicking him out because the owner didn't want a huge neck tattoo that read "I Love Strippers" in his family restaurant. Just ridiculous.

A very good friend of mine is all tatted up, but at 18 he knew he wanted to be a lawyer. And he is. And he can cover up all of his tattoos with jeans and a t-shirt. And IMO, that is the difference between being smart with tattoos and being dumb. I would totally lose respect for a LEO if he was walking around looking like a thug, whether that meant covered in ink on his neck and/or hands and arms or hair dyed an outrageous color and/or a mohawk, or gauges in his ears. To me, someone who does that to the selves, it is like a visual scar of making bad choices. Even if the person doesn't think of it that way. If a doctor came in to treat me and he was all tatted up I'd wonder if he make those bad choices on his own body what he is going to do to me.

Why someone would do that to their body in the first place is beyond me.

... no offense. I am just saying. Most of my friends and coworkers have ink, I have none. Nothing I'd want on my body permanently.

[ElDub1950]

..... and it would actually be illegal for them not to hire her because of her ink or make her cover any of them up. It would be discrimination.

pretty sure that's not the case at all. Banks and similar companies reject employees with visible tats - that aren't covered with typical business apparel all the time. When you're in a position where you deal with the public the company has an obligation to make sure their employees don't "scare away" the public.

[anthonyca]

Non LEO here.

OP, what are the current military tattoo policies for you branch? When I was in the Army, it changed a few times but I don't have tattoos so I didn't pay all that much attention. I did feel that as long as they were not seen while in uniform they were fine. I was kind of in the middle on the visable tattoos.

Who told you it would be discrimination to not hire your wife for tattoos? In my trade we work with the public and we have grooming standards. There is no written rule on tattoos but it understood by everyone that they are to be covered. We are a signatory to a union and the union is more strict about this than almost any of the employers when it comes to service techs who are representing both the union and the companies. They don't want to be stuck with a guy who they can't dispatch because he doesn't fit the image of what employers and customers want.

Now for construction guys in our trade, they can pretty much look how they want. One of my best friends switch from service to construction and he was covered with tattoos that could be hidden with long sleeved collared shirts and long pants. He has since gotten tattoos on his hands and lower neck. He told me that he understands that the decision to do so precluded him ever coming back to the service department but he is happy over there.

As a non LEO, I personally don't think a LEO with visable tattoos looks professional. Maybe I am just getting too old and this trend was pushed too far and I'm sick of everyone trying to think they are a bad @$$ because they have tattoos. When they were more rare I.really liked them and thought about getting some but now it my way of rebellion to not have them. I know my opinion doesn't mean anything but there it is.

[johnthomas]

I respect the right of anyone that wants to paint their body with ink. Like I tell people contemplating tats, know that to many folks denote tats with negative live style and will not give you the chance to prove yourself. If working in a coffee shop or head shop is your ultimate goal in life, go for it.

[nothinghere2c]

tattoos are a personal choice. want more job options in life? don't get visible tats. otherwise, enjoy your choices and quit *****ing.

[dennis1979gm]

Try the feds. My old Captain had both arms sleeved to the wrist. Lots of us with sleeves and forearm tattoos. Just can't be gang related obviously.

[003]

Please keep in mind that while tattoos are part of your value system, to much of society tattoos have a very negative connotation. One of the things I used to tell our young cops was that they had to meet my values, since I was the boss, and that I would not subordinate my values to theirs.

It is the same thing when working the street. Law Enforcement has an obligation to represent society at its best. While tattoos may be an important part of your life and values, the majority of responsible citizens in our society today do not have tattoos, and do not find them socially acceptable.

So, to answer your question directly do I think the curent policies are out of date. NO, not at all.

[Gryff]

Tattoos are trashy, even if they are trendy. Law enforcement should set a more professional example.