For many people it may be hard to take a cop seriously who has a huge tattoo blazed on the arm or a funky body branding-- And some members of the Upper Moreland Police Department agree.
The department’s police chief wants commissioners to pitch a proposal to the civil service commission that would prohibit new officers from having tattoos, piercings or brandings that are visible when they wear their short sleeve summer police uniform, according to The Intelligencer.
Commissioners however are divided on the issue.
Commissioner Jim Hotchkiss told the paper he is concerned about neutrality in appearance.
“The tattoo, no matter how innocent it seems, could offend someone,” he said.
But Commissioner Lisa Romaniello said the policy, if approved, could eliminate qualified candidates including younger people or people with military backgrounds.
“[Having a tattoo], doesn’t mean that you’re not qualified for the job and it doesn’t mean that you can’t do the job. And you may, in many cases have more qualifications,” she said.
Several police department across the country have debated the issue.
Upper Moreland firefighters do not have tattoo restrictions but are not allowed to have facial hair since it can interfere with oxygen masks, according to the paper.
