Tattoos

[Mongo]

How big of a deal are tattoos? Now I'm not sleeved or anything, but I do have a Ammo arm band on my left arm and HD tattoo on my right arm. Neither of these show below a short sleeved shirt so is this a big deal in local LE or Federal LE? Neither of them are lude either, unless you're offended by handgun ammo or HD cycles.

[Ranger337]

Tattoos are not that big of a deal. But it does depend on the individual department. Most agencies do have policies about visiable tattoos, they have to be in good taste and not lude or rascist in nature.

Best of luck to y ou,
Ranger337

[Badge11]

I think it will depend on each individual agency. I'm not sure if they have the legal authority to deny application to anyone who has tattoos as long at is not offensive. I'm sure someone on this board will know.
I have a few tats and two visible tats on each forearm. Nothing offensive and I got them while I was overseas in the Navy.
During the hiring process for each dept I would always wear longs sleeves (even during the physical ability!) but I always informed my b.i. and asked if it would be a problem, which I was always advised that it wouldn't be. We have a lot of guys in my dept with tats. There was a few posts on this subject before, you'll find that the opinions will vary. Some believe that tats have no place on LEOs but I belive it's personal preference.

[Surlyfritz209]

I don't see why tats would be a problem, unless you got something like "KKK Forever" or "Hitler Is God." Iv'e got three (soon to be four), and I don't think they are a big deal. I'm quite proud of mine, and if an agency has a problem with the fact that I have them, then I don't think that I would want to work for that agency.

[Mongo]

thanks everyone and Surlyfritz209, I think you're right about not working for them if they make a shit of it. Like I said mine aren't lude just a arm band of ammo and a HD cycle in flames. Thanks again, just putting my mind at ease.

[defunto]

Years ago I had a First Sergeant tell me "Never trust anyone who hasn't had an article 15 or a tatoo." I don't have a tattoo and the first one was harder to explain on the BI. Good luck.

[scweeber1]

Just to let you know, West Virginia state police deny any applicant with any body art that could possibly be exposed with any of their uniforms.