ARLINGTON, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – Arlington cops now not have to cover their ink, after the division introduced a change to its tattoo coverage Monday, Could 16.
“We hope this is not going to solely improve our staff’ high quality of labor life, however may even imply that APD will not miss out on well-qualified candidates who could not have been eager on working right here as a result of they’d should put on lengthy sleeves / pants in the course of the warmest elements of the yr to cowl their tattoos,” the division shared by way of Fb.
It additionally relaxed guidelines about facial hair, saying staff can be allowed to develop and show facial hair inside sure tips.
“If this coverage change helps us enhance our staff’ work expertise, whereas additionally serving to us recruit extra high quality staff, then we see this as progress.”
Not like Arlington, the Dallas Police Division has a tattoo policy in place that is fairly particular. Any physique artwork (tattoos or manufacturers) deemed offensive aren’t allowed. And if an officer has tattoos, they need to cowl them by an extended sleeved uniform shirt. Ink on the top, scalp, face, neck, fingers or fingers will forestall you from getting employed.
Irving Police Division
Again in 2018, the Irving Police Department changed it tattoo policy, permitting arm and leg ink on uniformed cops to stay seen.
“You go to our recruiting occasions and 60-70% of all people coming via the door nowadays has some type of artwork work,” Irving Police Chief Jeff Spivey instructed CBS11 Information.
On the time, Chief Spivey stated the change in coverage mirrored modern-day societal norms that now not take into account tattoos to be taboo. “Tattoos would not change the professionalism of the person or lady answering that decision for service,” he stated.
He stated stress-free the tattoo coverage wouldn’t solely appeal to new candidates to the division, however maintain these already on the power who will now not have to hide their physique artwork.
“We rent folks primarily based upon their character, primarily based upon their integrity, primarily based upon their skill to do the job the way in which we have skilled them to do.”