Met Police bans officers' visible tattoos - have your say

12:01pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in Bromley

MET Police officers have been banned from getting visible tattoos because they “damage the professional image” of the force.

Body art on the face, neck or hands is not permitted, while all other tattoos must be covered.

Staff who already have “prohibited” visible tattoos must register them in writing, with failure to do so liable to disciplinary action.

What do you think about Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe’s new policy on tattoos? Is it fair? Would you consider a police officer or other workers, such as doctors or teachers, to be less ‘professional’ if they have visible tattoos? Add your comments below.

Comments(21)

PaulErith says...
12:52pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Surely this can't be right. Personally hate tattoos. I'd never get one, and I really can't understand why people want to ruin themselves in this way....but, it's their choice. It is surely discrimination as it implies that having a tattoo in some way makes you less professional. Why not ban shaved heads as this might make them look like a yob? Think this is totally wrong!

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Polly Staight says...
2:12pm Wed 17 Oct 12

A policy man is a policy man...

I'd much rather that these people returned to being policemen.

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Virtual-Monster says...
2:12pm Wed 17 Oct 12

The Police have more to worry about than tattoos, you know like rampant racism throbbing through the force like blood through its veins, unacceptable violence against the innocent (RIP Ian Tomlinson) and Sergeants stealing vacuum cleaners from people’s homes (Glyndon SNT Sergeant Kevin Bird quit after stealing 'Henry' hoover).

In the past people would joke you could smell bacon when passing a Police officer, now apparently all you smell is corruption, arrogance and cheap donuts!

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smurf4568 says...
2:17pm Wed 17 Oct 12

I see no reason why they can't have tattoos, providing they're not offensive. By ruling out tattoos you'd prevent a lot of ex military personel taking up jobs in the police force. It also depends on what you define as visible - if they mean face / hands then that's slightly different from forearms (where they can be easily covered when on duty / as a mark of respect etc).

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born n breed says...
2:35pm Wed 17 Oct 12

What about their 'yuman rites' ?

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goldenbroomboy says...
2:42pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Many organisations insist their staff cover up any visible tattoos (Wal Mart being one example), so why not the Met Police?

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whats common about sense says...
4:18pm Wed 17 Oct 12

All this does is promote that it is right to judge a person based on a stereotype. Go MET police!!! Let's assume all all people with tattoos are unprofessional, all muggers are black, all terrorists are Muslim, all nurses are women, all doctors are men, all unemployed or disabled people are benefit cheats, everybody with children only had them to get a council house and all coppers are ******** then let the fun begin! Or we can be sensible and not judge a person based on an outdated, narrow-minded, prejudiced stereotype.....

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plasticfantastic says...
6:46pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Love the rant by Virtual Monster. Obviously had a bad experience with the Police no doubt!! Bitter & Twisted!!!

Luckily I don't have any tattoos, but I can tell you that officers are not pleased about this.

I can understand neck/face/hands, but on arms it's much more acceptable. I think Mr Hogan-Howe should be spending his time working out how the hell we are supposed to keep London safe with massive cut-backs and should realise that Police morale is at an all-time low, this really doens't help.

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ron.1952 says...
10:28pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Should never have lowered the standards in the first place.

Ron

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Rosiestar says...
10:55pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Something I would not want to see on a police officer is a tatoo of their childrens names across their wrists. As someone told me (not police) they had that done so they would think twice about cutting their wrists. Men have said (ok these wont be seen) but a tattoo on the lower back above the bum is called a slag tag. Trouble is a uniform is a uniform. A uniform is to represent the organisation. Personalisation is not allowed of that uniform. Tatoos are powerful logos, adverts about the private persons views. Office workers are not allowed to personalised their desks! Clear desk, except for the work. So that they remain focused and clear minded for the job. If a copper had visable tattoos Id think twice about them. So they would have to put up and accept my protest or wait while I identified them with a phone call....

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BillHeslop says...
11:26pm Wed 17 Oct 12

I thought only Pirates and criminals had a tattoo. Perhaps Bernie Boy and the Tattoo Brigade ought to police Penzance and leave professional policing to the professional police. That being experienced Metropolitan Police officers not carrot eaters whose experince of policing is limited to areas the size of Whitleaf.

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bible scoffer says...
10:02am Thu 18 Oct 12

...bald pate and tats ? please don't mention this or erastus piggott will get soo excited!! rofl!!

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the wall says...
10:14am Thu 18 Oct 12

Rosiestar wrote:
Something I would not want to see on a police officer is a tatoo of their childrens names across their wrists. As someone told me (not police) they had that done so they would think twice about cutting their wrists. Men have said (ok these wont be seen) but a tattoo on the lower back above the bum is called a slag tag. Trouble is a uniform is a uniform. A uniform is to represent the organisation. Personalisation is not allowed of that uniform. Tatoos are powerful logos, adverts about the private persons views. Office workers are not allowed to personalised their desks! Clear desk, except for the work. So that they remain focused and clear minded for the job. If a copper had visable tattoos Id think twice about them. So they would have to put up and accept my protest or wait while I identified them with a phone call....
The correct term is a tramp stamp. Office workers are allowed to personalised their desks. It depends on the company they work for, so please don't believe everything you read in the daily fail.

Tattoos have become a fashion item and most people don't think what they will look like 10 - 20 - 30 years later.

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handymanchris says...
5:19pm Thu 18 Oct 12

They should be allowed to display them.

Most folk do not understand the situations they face on a daily basis and breaking down barriers to talk to people can be difficult.

Just another way to break the ice really.

Virtual-monster, you really are an idiot!!
Rampant racism?? Where is your proof?? People love throwing out the race card these days, personally, if you use it you should be ashamed of yourself.

Corrution, again, where is your proof?

The only rubbish you can come out with is from the media which 90% of it is fabricated!

And finally, as for the donuts..... They are all cheap!!

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j.j. says...
7:16pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Uniform and tattoos - sounds like the Village People. Not ideal for the credibility of the force.

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toomush2drink says...
8:13pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Rosiestar wrote:
Something I would not want to see on a police officer is a tatoo of their childrens names across their wrists. As someone told me (not police) they had that done so they would think twice about cutting their wrists. Men have said (ok these wont be seen) but a tattoo on the lower back above the bum is called a slag tag. Trouble is a uniform is a uniform. A uniform is to represent the organisation. Personalisation is not allowed of that uniform. Tatoos are powerful logos, adverts about the private persons views. Office workers are not allowed to personalised their desks! Clear desk, except for the work. So that they remain focused and clear minded for the job. If a copper had visable tattoos Id think twice about them. So they would have to put up and accept my protest or wait while I identified them with a phone call....
What a load of rubbish !

So you are saying if someone is attacking you and a copper shows up with tattoo's you would think twice about letting them help you ?

If they can do the job then let them regardless of what they look like.

Im personally not into tattoo's but i know plenty of very good people with them.Ive seen others judge them without those people knowing anything about them.
In fact one guy i know with tatts all over him raises a very substantial amount of money each year for charity.
He also has an extremely good job because his employer recognises his ability rather than his appearance.

Its a shame others cant too.

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Rev. Sue Scottley says...
4:52pm Tue 23 Oct 12

I've got lots of visible tattoos - although I always wear a cardigan or something when visiting people that's more out of a sense that bare arms look unprofessional rather than wanting to hide my tattoos as plenty are still visible. Even the most conservative of the people I visit haven't had a problem with them. Why would they? I am good at my job!

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Familyguy321 says...
11:11pm Tue 23 Oct 12

This was never about the tattoos offending people. It's no secret that the biggest cost to the police is the wage bill, and that budgets need to be cut. Hence why it's viewed as gross misconduct for having an undeclared tattoo. That's all it is. There's always been policy around tattoos but its never been a straight to gross misconduct matter, from gross misconduct a dismissal can quickly follow. The less coppers there are the less costs. Not that Bernard will admit to any of this though.

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SimplyBen says...
8:49am Wed 24 Oct 12

VirtualMonster - I can assure you of one thing...

Our Krispy Kreme's are not cheap!!

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zampa says...
3:46pm Wed 24 Oct 12

Steroe typing is as I thought a no no nowadays. Just because someone has a tattoo does not mean they are louts, gangsters or any other negativity. I have seen plenty bikers with tattoos but, they are the first to help with chatities and were at the forefont at Wooton Bassett. And our Armed forces have tattoos and they are regarded as the best , so why can't a Met Police Officer have one, other areas do. You are just judging a book by it's cover.

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ShankRiley says...
3:41am Thu 1 Nov 12

I work in a hospital and have to cover up my tattoos for work. I don't mind and wear two Ink Armor sleeves: http://www.tat2x.com
/ They work well and I totally get the need to cover up in a hospital but I do not get the need to cover up in a music store.

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