On Tuesday, the Pittsburg Police Department took to social media asking the community whether or not officers should be allowed to show off their tattoos while on duty.
According to the survey results of a social media post, which had more than 1,000 interactions, the community said “yes” with a 94% support saying they should be allowed.
According to Captain Steve Albanese, the department put out the survey to check in with the community and see how they feel about officers displaying their tattoos.
“The Pittsburg Police Department does not have a policy at this time that allows our staff to show tattoos. Our current policy requires staff to cover any tattoo with either a long sleeve shirt or covering band, this includes during the summertime where temperatures can break 100 degrees,” said Albanese.
He added that over the years, tattoos have become more socially acceptable.
“We have found that officers get tattoos for various reasons: honoring others, faith, service to country, culture, and family. We also feel that tattoos show that our officers are human and part of our community,” said Albanese.
Albanese also pointed out that there is no decision yet on whether the department will be changing its current policy on tattoos.
This policy is similar to when they had a facial hair policy which was changed about 3-years ago when officers were not allowed facial hair except for November when they had the “no shave November” which is a fundraiser to raise awareness for cancer.
61 comments
You know, tattoos just aren’t my favorite things. I also don’t like to see earlobes dragged down to the knees with bowling balls, hula hoop inserts, etc. Frankly, these things often denote a certain lack of judgment, and within the family, we’ve certainly done what we could to discourage any and all participation in these little bonding rituals. However, where police are performing well and doing their jobs, why on earth we’d choose to make things harder for them and penalize them for past actions (which they may or may not regret) is beyond me. Can they effectively serve and protect the community? That’s what matters. If it’s a service-related tattoo, that’s a visible confirmation of experience and ability.
Never been a fan of tatoos, nose piercings or any of that stuff.
It makes me nauseous to look at them and one can’t help it because those are visible and usually “in your face.” Taking this thing to social media is hardly a valid statistical analysis. One can recruit their friends and others for input to make it look like there is wide approval.
Seeing nose piercing and tattoos make me want to puke! Saw some guy the other say with this ring like thing under his nose and I wanted to lead him by it like he was some bull.
Last week, I was in an elevator in a building in San Francisco when this couple stepped in. The man looked normal but the woman had something hanging from her nose which looked like thick black hat pins! Disgusting! I was hoping she would not sneeze!
I don’t think they should be able to show off tats or have beards, women should not be able to wear form fitting clothes and hair must be up off collar. It is all about uniformity and discipline, they should have to abide by Military Standards. Sorry they look like unprofessional punks in their police cars with beards and tattoos, and lets face it, they do look like a random thug.
Who in hell started this tattoo craze? I don’t care if it’s more socially “acceptable,” it puts the person immediately into the UNDERCLASS!
I never received any survey on this matter in my email!
As the article points out it was posted to social media therefoe nobody got the email
Visible tattoos on cops make them look unprofessional, along with full beards. Most departments require their officers to cover up tattoos, the same should be here. The next thing departments will have to allow is nose piercings and hula hoop inserts in their earlobes. Again why doesn’t the Admin at Pittsburg PD just grow a pair, and tell their officers, “You want tattoos fine, then you have to cover them up, no ifs, ands or butts” rather than seeking approval from the public via social media ?
One thing about tattoos! It would be much easier to identify people when they are brought to the coroner after being meeting with some foul play. Maybe the person’s full name, DOB and Social Security number should be tattoo’d somewhere on the body! Maybe the name of next-of-kin, too.
This stupid practice of defacing your body came with some crazy “tribal” revival. We have evolved from the old tribal days. We are in the 21st century not the 11th. Throughout history, prisoners were tattooed. Do we want to revive such a practice now?
Talk to a technician who works in the nuclear medicine field supervising the MRI tests. They will tell you that tattoo ink interferes with the magnetic properties of such equipment.
I wouldn’t hire them. I’d want professional looking cops, not gang members. There is nothing that spells “low class” like tattoos.
Tattoos have become more socially acceptable, but they still make you look hard. Men and women.
Good thing Admin at the S/O or APD never “ grew a pair” and developed a fitness standard to address fat cops huh VA!!!
Stay in your lane !
I can drive in any lane I want to ! Your response made me laugh, made my morning. It would have been nicer if you “grew a pair” and identified your true self, but that would have probably had an IA flung your way for violating department policy regarding internet postings by employees.
On the note of identifying yourself … We all would know who you are, and you and I could meet to have coffee — in my case, I will have coffee and donuts. Then we could discuss a “fitness plan” you might have in mind for me. Ummkay ?
Okay Steve Aiello !
This was not you Steve. I apologize.
Tattoos that have snakes crawling out of skulls, daggers thru hearts etc. are bad. But I have seem some beautiful tattoos that are works of art. Tattoos have meaning to many people. Rememberance of a loved one, a birth or a death, special event, a special occasion. I have 8 tattoos. I am not ashamed of any of them. They represent my days of scuba diving, my military service and trips to Thailand, Viet Nam and Bali. I hope to get another one in the future.
Are you a police officer Or seeking employment as one? I have tattoos all over and when I was in the US Army Military Police Corp I had to have full sleeves whenever I conducted Police work. This Antioch police look very unprofessional and need to shave and cover their tattoos. It is not a big deal to shave and look professional, they look like they are an organized biker gang. Their chief of police should enforce tougher standards.
Heads up Mustang…the story is all about the Pittsburg Police Department.
So, it’s called an example chief
LOL…I wish I was Antioch chief. I’d be making some serious changes the would benefit us “The People” however I must say Brooks has done a better job than past chiefs in my opinion.
Ever think of getting that one on your eyeball?
Cops do not look to good with tats on them to be honest.
I’d say that no one looks good with any “tats.” ……. and then there are those with this crap on their faces, necks and God-only-knows where else! ….. and then, there are the piercings! YUCK!
Why do people care so much about what other people do especially when it doesn’t hurt anything but your visual senses? Who cares if st the end of the day you don’t lose sleep over it?
Visual senses are probably more important than anything else.
How did people remember a loved one, a birth or a death, a special event or occasion in the not-very-distant past? I look at photos of relatives and my grandparents’ friends and no one is “INKED!” They remember loved ones with photographs, letters, poems and also their personal memories! A few relatives who were in the US Navy have tattoos with anchors, but they don’t look like walking billboards!
No stereotypes here
What’s up with all these crazy people trying to control everyone’s life. Let them do what they want Jesus, control your kids not these adults.
Nope,
No,
Absolutely Not,
Not-At-All
Lacks Professionalism.
I don’t want to deal with law enforcement people that look like thugs! Neither do I want to be served in a restaurant by waitstaff with inked arms that look like someone had beaten the crap out of them. Purple, blue, red welts all over their arms. And then some crap inked on their necks which look like roadways for cooties to head for their scalps! Yuck!
Who tf cares how you feel, everyone is entitled to do with their bodies as they so please. Omg you don’t like how they make you feel? Then grow up you all sound like some pussies
I bet you’re a STONER and the weed has killed off hundreds-of-thousands of the few brain cells you were born with! Keep on tokin’!
Oh little Gracie…Subtract hundreds-of-thousands from a few and see what you end up with. Your comment makes -0 sense.
Of course my comments don’t make sense to you. The dope has pretty much affected your thinking ability. You’re the prime example of what weed does to the brain! Keep on tokin’!
If they were saving your life u wouldnt care if they had tattoos or not!! As long as nothing is inappropriate they should be able to show their skin ??
Have as many tattoos you want, but wear clothing that covers them up while on duty. I had to wear long sleeves in very hot weather, because I wanted the tats and knew the what the standards were. Another thing is that tattoos are very recognizable and off duty police officers could put either themselves or their family in danger. I will forget a face but body art is usually unique. Discipline and standards make great officers. #notats #shaveyourface
And how many officers are going to wear long sleeves in 100 degree heat?
Dermatologists are now making a killing removing tattoos! The arms, visible in short sleeve apparel, are the most requested areas for removal of this pestilence.
The same ones that are stupid enough to spend a couple grand on “body art” …
I see some people on welfare spending our tax dollars on tattoos and not hiding the fact that we are paying for it. There should be some restrictions on what they can use that money for .. mainly BASIC food (NO LOBSTER or FILET MIGNON!) and some incidentals!
referring to tattoos as “art” is a bit of a stretch!
One could argue it’s their body. That’s correct, but when one works at a police department you become a “billboard” for a Chief of Police, Sheriff and City/County. So in their despotic ways they have control over you — want tattoos ? cover them up; have a Facebook or Twitter account ?– you better be damned sure there isn’t any political bullshit on those pages, or you posing with your cache of semi-auto rifles; send stupid messages to other cops via department email and/or mobile data systems in patrol cars — be prepared to pay the price. Get drunk at a sporting event ? “Joe Blow” citizen gets to, gets ejected from the game with no consequences — if you are cop, well you better hope your PORAC Legal Defense dues are paid up. So get over it, you want tattoos cover them up or get them on your body that isn’t visible to everyone else.
Not only are you a billboard for the chief of police, you’re a billboard for the general public – the taxpayers. Regardless of what department you work for.
Well stated Nick.
I agree! They should limit their tattoos to areas “where the dun don’t shine” but having the tattoo “artist” do his work in that area might be A PAIN IN THE BUTT!
How does one truly stay cool in 100+ degree heat? You wear 100% LINEN garments including shirts with SLEEVES! As your body perspires, the linen gets slightly damp and makes you feel cool.
Yes, even the slightest breeze will cool you off when you’re wearing linen. I’ve noticed that law enforcement personnel (such as it is) in countries of northern Africa, do wear quite a bit of linen and stay cool.
I have worn long sleeves with 35 pounds of gear in 115 degrees plus. It can be done you just need discipline and proper training. It was 130 plus in our trucks crossing the border into Iraq in our Chemical gear. Bottom line they don’t look professional. Sorry, I know they are doing a great job they just need to look the part. I will never take away from what they do they just need to be presentable to the public
Daniel Sparks, well stated !
in England, tatoos were once verboten for the force… now permitted,,,, Here in the US, i vote NO whst is ok for UK is not for US… prisoners can tatoo but not our police, it is for a good reason if one just thinks about it
When will this ridiculous, arcane practice finally run it’s course?
All law enforcement personnel, no matter what city, county or state they serve, should present a professional appearance. They should exhibit leadership and not be followers
Hey I know this is about Pitt Pd but here on Crestwood dr in Antioch, we had a drive by shooting. I dialed 911 just so there would be a police response, but no one showed up. This is the third time In a month we had shootings on our st. I don’t give a ducks what they look like, just do your fucking Jobs. Hey Chief Brooks I am hoping you read this, I have a newborn child and don’t feel safe having her sleep in the bedrooms because they are facing the street. Please do you Job and respond to 911 calls and make sure your prescnces is known. I know I don’t live in the nicest neighborhood, but that don’t mean we don’t deserve police response
Hey there Mike (Burkholder), I hope the Admin at Pittsburg PD reads these comments !! Have a good one.
46% of the American people have tattoos and that numbers only growing. For all you talking about tattoos as a sign of lower class, that stigma is only there because the lower class could finally afford them. In the 16th century, it was a sign of wealth. The wealthy only stopped getting them because it was no longer unique to have them. Also, I have to ask, why can it not be considered professional or art to have a tattoo? Doctors, Lawyers, several Presidents have tattoos. Statistically, 72 percent of people who have tattoos don’t regret getting them, only removing them most often to obtain a job that some Gen-X manager is running. The same people complaining about not getting this poll. This has nothing to do with discipline, I know all you guys who talk about wearing that gear in the hot weather, complained about it then as well and would have shed those long sleeve in an instant for some short sleeves.
Tattoos are the traditional choices for criminals and those incarcerated, that’s why they don’t fall into the “professional” or “art” category! They also show a lack of leadership and indicate that someone is just a follower of a temporary trend.
I respect people who are leaders, not followers.
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