Should cops be allowed to show tattoos?

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Should cops be allowed to show tattoos?
July 26, 2011
by David Lowe
The Sun

TATTOOS are no longer taboo, according to a top cop.

But not everyone agrees with Kent Police Federation chairman Ian Pointon's controversial calls for body art to be permissible for bobbies.

Current rules say rude, discriminatory, violent and intimidating tattoos must not be visible on officers in England and Wales.

Kent police guidelines say all tattoos should be covered up.

But Mr Pointon believes the designs can be an icebreaker with young people and that Kent's guidelines are "stigmatising". We spoke to two tattooed people with differering opinions on his views.

Yes

says LAL HARDY Celeb tattooist whose clients include Aaron Lennon and Aston Merrygold

No stigma ... Lal Hardy
No stigma ... Lal Hardy

WHEN I first started as a tattooist 33 years ago it was exclusively white males aged 18-35 coming in. There was a stigma attached to tattoos.

They were wrongly associated with the working and criminal classes.

Now I have clients of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. I get businessmen wanting a discreet design.

Celebrities such as David Beckham and Cheryl Cole have helped make tattoos much more mainstream for men and women and younger people.

I support the ban on police officers having racist, political or obscene tattoos, but I agree with Mr Pointon that inoffensive designs are less of an issue.

I would draw the line at permanently visible designs on the face, neck or hands. A policeman with a facial tattoo would probably be intimidating to the public rather than approachable.

Undoubtedly tattoos are far more socially acceptable today, with fewer people making unnecessary judgements about those who have them.

Ian Pointon has made a very valid point because tattoos don't stop officers doing their jobs.

If people are being turned away because of a tattoo, good recruits are being ignored for doubtful reasons.

On my travels I've seen policemen in other countries with lots of tattoos.

In New York I remember one cop who had his arms covered in very skilful designs which clearly hadn't interfered with his job prospects.

My advice to anyone considering a design remains the same: You only have one hide, so it pays to decide.
No

says LIAM MIDGLEY New Army recruit from Chesterfield, Derbys

A FRIEND did my first tattoo seven years ago, when I was 17.

Tats removed ... Liam Midgley
Tats removed ... Liam Midgley

It was six large stars running from my left shoulder to my neck with my initials L and J, for Liam and John, in the middle.

At first I was really pleased. It seemed cool and I never thought a few black lines would be any problem.

Then I was made redundant from Talk Talk in Hull as a mobile sales advisor in 2009 and struggled to find another job. I felt recruiters were put off by my image.

Applying to the Army seemed like an obvious solution and I got called for an interview last May.

But three days before, they imposed a ban on visible tattoos. I was mortified to be told I could go no further.

I began researching private tattoo removal, but quotes of between £700 and £1,500 made it out of the question.

Then I came across a charity called Human Life Trust on the internet.

They provide specialist E-raze treatment, taking away tattoos you no longer want.

Now my designs are barely visible and I start in the Army in October.

Like it or not, people judge you for having a tattoo as they are linked to thugs and bad behaviour.

I'm polite and well-mannered but my tattoos meant others didn't see me that way.

That's why I disagree with the idea that police officers should be allowed to show them off.

Our cops need to earn the public's respect and be able to act without being undermined by body ar