Policy on Tattoos
Keywords
Policy, Tattoos, Hand, Prominent, Neck, Throat, Offensive, Applying, Job, Recruitment, Body marking, C3022 Standards of Appearance.
Publication Number
PUB 1322
FOI Reference Number
15411
Request Title
Policy on Tattoos
Date Range
N/A
Information Requested
I am looking to go to university to study to become a police officer. However, I have hand tattoos and a prominent full neck and throat tattoo (not offensive but covers my whole neck). I have read they are on a case by case basis, although I don’t want to go to university for three years if this is definitely deemed unacceptable due to how noticeable my tattoos are. How do I find out before going to uni and then applying for a police officer job to see if my tattoos could be (un)acceptable?
Disclosure with Exemptions
Full Disclosure
Information Correct as at
07 July 2021
Date of Disclosure
13 July 2021
Related Documents/Links
FOI 15411 Response
Having completed enquiries within Essex Police in respect of Section 1(1)(a), Essex Police does hold information relating to your request, Essex Police can confirm in respect of Section 1(1)(b) the following data:
Caveat: The data is correct as at 07/07/2021
Visible tattoos are deemed unacceptable if they could reasonably be interpreted as: discriminatory, offensive, indicate of attitudes or views which are inconsistent with the College of Policing's Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour. Tattoos meeting any of the above criteria will prevent you from being able to join Essex Police.
Careful consideration will be given to any tattoo located on the neck, face or hands in deciding if this is acceptable. This includes consideration of the size, nature and prominence of the tattoo. Such tattoos are unlikely to present a professional image such that they will, more often than not, also be a bar to joining Essex Police.
Tattoos are considered by the Head of Professional Standards Department who will make a decision as to whether they are acceptable or not. Without seeing a photograph Essex Police cannot say for certain what the decision would be, but, given the location, Essex Police think it unlikely that they would pass.