Tattoo's

[Inder_S]

Hey guys I looked through the forum and couldn't find anything about having tattoo's prior to becoming a police officer so my question is whether it's a big issue to have tattoo's before you apply to a department? I have two tattoo's, one is on my right shoulder and its not big and the other one is on my left arm from my wrist to the elbow, its my last name. I was thinking of getting the arm tattoo removed soon what do you guys think?

[retdetsgt]

Check with the agency you want to apply for. Many will not allow tattoos visible wearing a short sleeve shirt.

[mcsap]

Check with the agency you want to apply for. Many will not allow tattoos visible wearing a short sleeve shirt.

Agree 100%. I know a guy with full arm tatt's and as a condition of employment , he has to wear a long sleeve underarmor shirt with short sleeve uniform shirts.

[retdetsgt]

Agree 100%. I know a guy with full arm tatt's and as a condition of employment , he has to wear a long sleeve underarmor shirt with short sleeve uniform shirts.

We wouldn't go that far. We'd just hire the next guy on the list that doesn't have the tattoos.

[Samuel]

Tattooing one's own name never really made much sense to me (although a family crest or shield would be cool IMO) - I can understand tattooing kids' names or significant others' names but, with a lot of the clientele we deal with, just how many parolees' names can you fit on one neck?

For us, as long as it isn't "offensive" and you can completely cover it in uniform, it won't be a disqualifying factor by itself...

[Inder_S]

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. I've decided to just get the big one removed.

[marinepilot]

I knew a guy in the academy that had a lot of work in tat's on his arms, working towards full sleeves I suppose. He got hired in the neighboring county and he had to wear a long sleeve uniform shirt all year round to cover them (since they weren't in the best taste). Imagine how that felt in the dead of summer!!

Fortunately, he never made it through FTO 'cause of his huge mouth that he couldn't keep shut, but that's a different story.

[ET109]

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. I've decided to just get the big one removed.

Ok. Round here they're fine unless in bad taste.

[greg72982]

Agree 100%. I know a guy with full arm tatt's and as a condition of employment , he has to wear a long sleeve underarmor shirt with short sleeve uniform shirts.

We wouldn't go that far. We'd just hire the next guy on the list that doesn't have the tattoos.

Yeah seriously, that would look pretty dumb...

[Switchback]

M local Sheriff Department requires tattoos be covered at all times while on duty, as well as while off-duty in the squad. So, the guys with sleeves must wear the long-sleeved uniforms all year long, no matter how hot it gets. A buddy of mine, who has ink on his arms and legs, must also wear pants and long sleeves even while driving to the gym on his day off (assuming he takes the squad).

[K-9MALY]

I have a left arm sleeve and non visible tats on my right arm. We in CBP don't have a tat policy outside of non offensive, but I still wear long sleeve shirts due to my own desire to project a professional appearance at work. I love getting ink, and will continue on the right arm soon.