Do not frighten the citizens, over.

Cops order cover-up of officers' tattoos

The official cover-up was ordered by San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne [...] Under the new rules, uniformed police must ensure that their dress blues hide any tattoos, brands or "scarifications" that are "excessive," or visible over more than 30 percent of their biceps, forearms or hands. The rules also outlaw most inked skin renderings above the officer's collarbone, at a time when body art has become big business across the country.

The crackdown came after members of the public complained of excessively decorated police at community meetings and also after a few emergency calls. Some victims of crime were taken aback by the sight of extensively tattooed patrolmen turning up to help them, the chief said. "We have had complaints from citizens who called and said they didn't believe that (the cops) were police officers," he said.

Tags: ,

11 Responses:

  1. kyronfive says:

    Only in San Diego.

  2. endquote says:

    Wait, so they're saying they don't want their cops to look like badasses?

    • pvck says:

      Does Society At Large seriously still think that tats == badass?

      • belgand says:

        Depends. If the guy already looks like a badass and has a giant "FUCK OFF" tattoo then yeah, probably. Otherwise they look like a bored college kid with too much money budgeted for "stupid shit to piss off my parents" or "I wanna be hip like those people I see in ads" middle manager.

  3. romulusnr says:

    In another communication, highly tattooed criminals were also urged to cover up any tattoos or body art whenever they are impersonating police officers.

  4. lars_larsen says:

    Do tattoos of police badges apply?

  5. revsphynx says:

    Here in KY, you can't work for the state police (or the parks department) if you have tattoos that are visible in a short-sleeve shirt.

    Our governor is an ass.

  6. baconmonkey says:

    Cheese is coming under fire in SD as well.
    http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/3536563/detail.html

    "We have found these illegal cheeses being sold from the back of cars or trucks, at swap meets and from door-to-door salespeople," said Gary Erbeck, director of the County Environmental Health Department.