true blue in wake county's blog

tattoos and body art in the workplace

 abuse

Its topic that sits on a fence.  Do tattoos and body art make the person? to some - yes, to others its a form of expression and one that should be a "free" form. 

As police officers and public safety officials and state/city/county Government employee's we are expected to live up to a certain image. But who decides what that image should be? What may be considered unprofessional to one, may be admired by another. 

Most of our agencies and work environments have a standing policy - no visible body art or piercings while in-uniform and engage in duties with the public. Same goes for smoking, profanity, drinking soda pops, and being seen with your hands in your pockets. 

Kinda extreme huh? well not really. There is a reason for it. There are some pretty prestigious agencies within the state that do not have a tattoo or body art policy and officers are free to display that beautiful art all they wish. 

Others, not so misgiving. But, it's a necessary requirement.

I know many LEO's and EMT's from numerous agencies that are HEAVILY decorated and it shows everyday and yes, in court. Some people scowl but a whole lot more seem to admire. I've been to several mass public events (4th of july, etc) whereas members of the public actually walked up to the officer and stated "man, those are some awesome tattoos, hey officer, check these out."  So it does have its benefits in certain aspects. In certain circumstances some members of the public seem to trust a little more and open up a little easier during the course of investigations. I will not get into the covert benefits that it has for obvious safety reasons.

Some have not been so admirable - "I can't believe they let you have those and a badge too, I mean you dont LOOK like a police officer" hmmmm I'm confused, just what is a police officer "supposed" to look like??? Same goes for the response we get when we stop people on the street at 2.am wearing long dark coats in a business district and its July..."Well, do I LOOK like a criminal" hmmm not sure son, whats a criminal supposed to look like??

Now, does that mean that we should be out wearing ear rings (as males), goatee's and van dykes, and walk up to your car meeting all of the requirements except the red laces in our boots? not at all.  Although I do know of one very large department and a very prestigious department in Cumberland county that I have observed uniformed officers with goatee's though. 

Does this mean that they are any less of professional officers because they have some pretty colorful and intricate tribal style art? Not sure, again, tattoos dont make the person.  However, I draw that line at a police officer with tattoos that either directly or subliminally depict an allegiance to drugs, sexism, racism, and what could be considered extremeism.

Case in point, I once watched a defense attorney in Wake get publicly admonished to almost tears when she used "the officer got out of his car with tattoos and black gloves and resembled that of a storm trooper."  The judge rolled up his robe and stated "I have this and several others, does that make me a storm trooper too" among some pretty colorful other facts that he proceeded to point out.  Defendant was found guilty. 

Tattoos in the work place? well, it not only applys to public safety officials but I seem to be seeing alot of business establishments starting to institute the "no visible body art" policy...

How are things on your job????

The pic attached to the BLOG is Corporal Paul Orinthal, San Francisco PD, CA.

TRU 

Filed under: Government