No Ink: Sheriff Bans Tattoos for Deputies - Tattoos and the Workplace

No Ink: Sheriff Bans Tattoos for Deputies
January 31, 2011
By TODD WRIGHT
NBC Miami

heriff Al Lamberti isn't profiling. He's just image conscious.
Broward County's top cop wants to put an eraser on ink and has issued a ban on his deputies displaying tattoos while they are on duty.
The new policy, which was issued last week, basically makes employees cover up no matter where the tattoo might be located.
BSO employees also have to do away with their gold teeth or platinum grills.

"I have gotten comments from the public that some of these tattoos are offensive and intimidating," Lamberti told the Miami Herald.
We're not sure how many deputies have the skull and crossbones tatted on their biceps, but it looks like that "Mom" tattoo is going to have to go also.
It's unclear what the punishment will be for any deputy who steps out of line and shows off his or her ink while in uniform. BSO also doesn't appear to be banning employees from getting new tattoos, although they will probably have to be very strategic.
As for the gold teeth, Lamberti said it's for the deputies' safety. You never know when an unruly suspect is going to yank them out, he said.