119 replies to this topic

[Lord Vader]

Official guidance on tattoos states that you should not have any which could cause offence. Tattoos are not acceptable if they:

• undermine the dignity and authority of the office of constable
  
• are garish or numerous or particularly prominent
  
• could cause offence to members of the public or colleagues and/or invite provocation. This would include tattoos which are rude, lewd, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic, violent or intimidating or tattoos which display unacceptable attitudes towards women, minority groups or any other section of the community, or alignment with particular groups which could give offence to members of the community.

Attached, an example of a tattoo that might well not meet the guidelines

Attached Files

•  tattoo.jpg   22.12K   1447 downloads

[Ventress]

I saw a Sussex officer at Ashford with a tattoo I found quite offensive, obviously Sussex police must be short! It took up most of his right forearm.

[karmapolice]

Offensive on account of it's size or it's content/images?

[pH_14]

TVP need to buy thicker shirts.. my tattoo is clearly visible through the sleeve... but then if anyone can find anything in it to be offended by they need to stop watching daytime TV.

[Ventress]

Offensive on account of it's size or it's content/images?

It was a full black lined tattoo that covered his forearm and I feel didnt look quite right on a copper. Hey dont get me wrong I have one, which was photograped and measured before I joined!

[lostprophet]

"It was a full black lined tattoo that covered his forearm and I feel didnt look quite right on a copper."
Hmm, i see your point but, at the same time, unless the tattoo is particularly offensive, i don't see too much of a problem, having said that if it is really, erm, garish i think the word was then fair enough.

Though, just because someone likes big tattoos it doesn't make them a bad person, and doesn't mean theyre not a good officer.

[Kitty]

TVP need to buy thicker shirts.. my tattoo is clearly visible through the sleeve... 

Agreed, if you look closely at many officers shirts you can see a tattoo of some description on the upper arm, shoulder or back. As long as they're not offensive or overly numerous I don't see the harm in them.

[scouse]

It was a full black lined tattoo that covered his forearm and I feel didnt look quite right on a copper. Hey dont get me wrong I have one, which was photograped and measured before I joined!

So what, he may have had the tatt before deciding to join, I have a tribal from my shoulder to my elbow and names in old english down both my forearms, does that mean i cannot serve the community as good as someone who has no tatts, i think not.......

[Spelly]

I have a tattoo on my forearm of a symbol of some sort.
All i get comments on from MOP's is how cool it looks!!

[MetPC]

Attached, an example of a tattoo that might well not meet the guidelines

I'm not getting why that would fall outside of the guidelines

[Pinky]

I'm not getting why that would fall outside of the guidelines

Honestly?

ACAB = All Coppers are B**tards.

Not right nice.

[Bubba]

Honestly?

ACAB = All Coppers are B**tards.

Not right nice.

I didn't get it either at first, so thanks for opening my eyes

I have a tattoo on my right arm and was thinking of getting another one.

A chap on my rota is covered in tattoo's and just has to wear a long sleeve shirt, not really a problem.

[pc9844]

A young probationer who I tutored had a tat' of the George Cross on his upper arm. Before he was aloud in the job, he was told to remove it or cover it with something else. Exactly what is wrong with a tat' of this description. Who will it offend.
What if he was an asian officer and had a tat' of an asian country. Would they say the same.
He removed it to get in.

I think this was an abuse of authority.

[Chaser81]

Though I disobeyed my Dads request not to start smoking, I did however listen to him when he said he regretted getting a tattoo as a young man, and as such I have never felt the need myself. I have no problem with tattoos though as long as they arent offensive or intimidating to others.

[Pinky]

I was talking to a neer'do well the other day who was giving it all the "Er, yeah, I wouldn't mind joining the Police, like"

He was covered in tattoos.

I said "Oh, ever been in trouble with the Police, been sent down or anything?"

"Er, no. Never. Honest!"

The fact that he clearly had 'The Saint' logo on his bicep, 'cut here' and a dotted line around both his wrists and "Borstal Boys '74" on his forarm - all done with as needle and Indian Ink and mostly spelt wrong, somehow made me have my suspicions about his honesty and intergreity!

Edited by Pinky, 08 November 2005 - 06:59 PM.

[hkpete]

Hmm, just wondering. I have chinese symbols on my right shoulder, and a celtic band on mt right bicep. They are not large, and are easily covered with a t shirt or short sleeve shirt. But I was wondering if the chinese symbols might be seen as preference to that race or somehting silly like that. I would be willing to get it covered with a different tattoo. Or if the force pays I'll get it removed Thoughts antone? Does it depend how petty the person making the decision is?

[Gforceuk]

Wont be a problem...

[Chaos]

Hmm, just wondering. I have chinese symbols on my right shoulder, and a celtic band on mt right bicep.

I know an ex-cop who has a celtic band around his arm so I don't think it would be a problem. I was thinking about geting a thistle...wonder if that would be an issue.

Was watching street crime UK a month or so back and it featured an officer who had quite a few arm tattoos. One was, I assume, his daughters name down his forearm. They don't bother me (as a female I find them quite aluring as long as they're not OTT), but I was surprised he was allowed to have the on display.

[Bubba]

I know an ex-cop who has a celtic band around his arm so I don't think it would be a problem. I was thinking about geting a thistle...wonder if that would be an issue.

Was watching street crime UK a month or so back and it featured an officer who had quite a few arm tattoos. One was, I assume, his daughters name down his forearm. They don't bother me (as a female I find them quite aluring as long as they're not OTT), but I was surprised he was allowed to have the on display.

Tattoo's don't have to be covered up, it's down to the type of tattoo and obviously how many you have.

[Chaos]

Would a thistle be deemed offensive? See above a lad had to get his St George's Cross covered up and I wouldn't have said that was offensive in any way.

[Barry1987]

Would a thistle be deemed offensive? See above a lad had to get his St George's Cross covered up and I wouldn't have said that was offensive in any way.

St George's cross would be to some people but I can't see a thistle being offencsve to anyone.

[Chaos]

Hmmm I'll probably ask some folk and see what they say. Still a shame the lad had to cover it up though. Can't win these days with what's 'offensive' and what isn't.

[Goddess]

Oh bummdiddy!! I forgot at my interview the one thing I wanted to say... which was.. I have a tatoo on my top arm... its purple and it says my nickname.

Will I get into schtuck about it??

it really wont be visable unless Im wearing a cap sleave or vest... or nekked!!

[Barry1987]

Oh bummdiddy!! I forgot at my interview the one thing I wanted to say... which was.. I have a tatoo on my top arm... its purple and it says my nickname.

Will I get into schtuck about it??

it really wont be visable unless Im wearing a cap sleave or vest... or nekked!!

Can't see it.

[Goddess]

No its physical rather than online... its kind of on my arm....