from
David C. Comstock Jr. The Ban on Body Ink: “Denial of Equal Protection and Due Process” p. 105-107. Web. 2009
“The City of Hartford (CT) revised its uniform and appearance standards for all police officers to address tattoos.” I would probably use this as an insight that tattoo policies are everywhere. Just an example of a random states policies of police and tatoos.
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| police rail against tattoo rule |
“The new rule: Tattoos that are visible to the public and deemed offensive, immoral, or present an unprofessional appearance, as deemed by a supervisor, shall require the officer to cover said tattoo with a bandaging type material or a long-sleeve shirt in accordance with the uniform-of-the-day standards.” I would use this as an example of what certain department could make their personnel do to cover up their tattoos instead of making them remove it or not hire them. Along with the next quote, they are examples of things supervisors or chief of police would make officers do to cover up their tattoos. “Personnel shall cover the tattoo with either flesh-toned, navy blue, or white type of material that matches the uniform shirt or wear a long-sleeve shirt in accordance with the winter uniform of the day standard.”
“Officers alleged that the city violated 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 by denying their right to free expression under the First and 14th Amendments of the U.S. and by…Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. They weren’t aware that the spider web tattoo had a meaning of racism.” I could use this as a great example of how tattooed officers may feel when asked to cover up their tattoos and where told that they are not allowed to have them. I am sure they feel upset and feel controlled by their superiors when they cannot express themselves freely. I mean they are patrolling the streets and risking their life every day to protect the public from harm, the least they could do is embrace themselves as an individual. It would be argued that they need to be of uniform and they need to look and dress like all the other officers. I would assume that tattoos could be of exception because it is permanent. But again it could offend the public. So what another quote stated was: “Under the existing regulation, a police officer can display a tattoo while on duty or in uniform until the chief issues a subsequent order declaring the tattoo offensive or unprofessional.”
the men in masks random thoughts. personally watched them.
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| New Guidelines. Prohibit tattoos |
Tattoos are widely viewed as a symbol of deviance. But are tattoos really connected to negative, deviant behavior? Most will think so due to the fact that those who claim to be the first people to have tattoos were bikers, convicts and sailors. They made a mark on tattoos (more than on their body) in society today. It was viewed as a stigma because of those who wore them so proudly. I am sure everyone saw tattoo as a warning sign to stay away from those who were tattooed. But what if the people that were tattooed weren’t a threat at all, what if they were there to help them, and protect them. What if the tattooed person they viewed as deviant, untrustworthy and scary was in reality a police officer out of uniform?
Madera womens prison
Correction officer : George Moreno..
Background… 10 years
35
Thoughts of tattoos in the the facility
Because it is a fairly new state prison, the tattoo policy here is very strict.
We hold inmates from level 1 to level 5. And have over 3,000 inmates.
there are many correction officers trying to get into Women’s prisons.
They are much less dangerous than men’s prisons.
Because the high interest of employment at the prison, tattoos have a great impact on the hiring process.
We ask to see all tattoos as part of the screening process before hiring.
If your tattoo resembles any form gang, group(racist), similar to any inmates tattoos chance of you getting employed are slim. But if you get a tattoo the goes against the policy after you are employed, the consequence is having transfer to another location that will accept you with that tattoo after your suspension of course.
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| Brief look at Correctional Officers |
One can’t just transfer locations because we rotate shifts constantly. Days we work the cage, surveillance, the yard, medical, each block levels 1-5 and so on.
Regardless your experience and status, any visible tattoos are not allowed. That includes small tattoos in hands, face, and neck.
Inmates should never see your tattoo, for your own and family protection. If they see the tattoo, you run the risk of them having someone track you or your family outside the prison… then things can go bad.
Zachery Meza 27
5 years at mens RJD Correctional Facility
We cover level 1,2,3 inmates
Tattoos…
Any visible tattoos are not acceptable… but we are allowed to have tattoos.
We run a moderate secutity system, what I mean is not so much isolation blocks.
Majority of the employees are much older here and we have many correction officers with military background. Some of which have tattoos.
Basic tattoo policy, which has no affiliation with any gangs or groups (racist)
As matter a fact, a fellow correction officer has his platoon on the back of his neck which is sometimes visable, and he sometimes forgets to cover it with a big band aid and doesn’t get introuble… the fact that he is a vet and the tattoo is military, he gets away with it.
1. What is your position in the police department? Human Resources Analyst
2. What do you look for (appearance wise) in a police officer? Presentable/professional appearance
3. What are the tattoo policies? On duty employees shall not display tattoos, brandings or scarificatons (per policy)
4. How are they regulated and enforced? Self-regulation and regulated by supervisors.
5. What is your personal views about tattooed cops? They should not be seen while in uniform.
6. Do you have tattoos? If not, why? No, just have never wanted to get one.
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| The Project: Cops with Tats |
7. For those police officers that come from military background and already have (military based) tattoos, are their supervisors more lenient about them covering it? No exception, they must be covered.
8. What would happen if an officer was caught violating the tattoo policy? Progressive discipline
9. What if they are already in law enforcement and they get a tattoo that goes against the policy? (example face, hand tattoos) Do they have to get it removed immediately or do they get fired on the spot? Progressive discipline.
10. Does an officer have to check with their supervisor before getting a tattoo? No visible tattoos.
11. Does the policy differ in different departments? is it more lenient in different areas? For example, LAPD,NYPD. Policy could vary from department to department, size to size.
12. What about the different ranks? How do the views and policy differ when the ranks get higher up? The higher you go in ranking, the more lenient or conservative people are about one having tattoos.
13. What about special forces? K9, SWAT, undercover, Undercover may show tattoos if necessary
14. Is the reason why they don't want police showing their tattoo is because it is a self-identifying mark and they want all police to represent the department? Could be
15. Some say that tattoos could tell a lot about a person. Do you think this policy is also for their (personal) safety? Yes/No
16. The type of tattoos that also could be an issue is skulls and grim reapers; ones that symbolize death. Are those types of tattoos allowed? No tattoos allowed that are visible.
17. Have you experienced any issue with officers not wanting to cover their tattoos up? Claiming they have freedom of expression?
