While on duty, troopers must hide their tattoos

Associated Press via HoustonChronicle.com ^ | March 25, 2006 | Associated Press

[Ninian Dryhope]

Comments from the public led to new policy, a DPS spokesman says

AUSTIN - The state has ordered its troopers to cover up any tattoos in a move intended to preserve the officers' clean-cut image.

Last week, the Texas Department of Public Safety began requiring the state's almost 2,700 uniformed troopers to hide any visible tattoos or brandings while on duty.

The state already mandates short hair, shiny shoes and no jewelry or piercings for troopers, department spokesman Tom Vinger said.

Long sleeves or skin-colored patches to conceal body art have been added to that list.

Comments from the public about tattooed troopers played a role in the decision, Vinger said.

Sgt. Brian Hawthorne, of the Department of Public Safety Officers Association, estimates that fewer than 10 percent of troopers have tattoos. The group, which represents troopers, has not taken a stance on the new policy.

"This is a true generational thing," Hawthorne told the Austin American-Statesman. "Over the last few years (body art) has increased."

Several local police departments across the state, including Houston, require officers to hide or even remove tattoos.

[Ninian Dryhope]

Tattoos are so déclassé.

[billorites]

[CGASMIA68]

It is your right to put hard ware in your head paint your body and color your hair orange and do what ever you want to your self but its my right to NOT hire you if you are not "approchable"

[Krankor]

A tattoo is like a mullet, it says, "I have absolutely no class."

[peyton randolph]

A tattoo is like a mullet, it says, "I have absolutely no class."

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In most situations. However, there are some, such as military and fraternal, that serve a purpose.

[starfish923]

Tattoes are indeed déclassé. Always were; always will be. So are nose rings, piercings, Mohawks, too much jewelry, make-up, stupid hair-dos, rag-bag clothes and clothes (for women) that are too short, too tight, too low-cut and too see-through. Hey, I just described the way our youth (and wanna-be over-thirties) dresses! Wow.
The word used to be "inappropriate." Lol. Am I old-fashioned or what.

Dress codes are acceptable. But folks should be told ahead of time. That's only fair.

[CBart95]

Thanks. And people who don't have the common sense to see the difference are invited to find other work.

[ThePoliticalDookie]

I don't have any tatoos, but many of those I served in the Marines with did and I'd say it is you who have no class. I would love to see you be so judgemental face to face with a combat vet...

[Ninian Dryhope]

LOL!!

http://www.angelfire.com/indie/randomactsofstupidit/pics/hearttattoo.jpg

[peyton randolph]

I don't have any tatoos, but many of those I served in the Marines with did and I'd say it is you who have no class. I would love to see you be so judgemental face to face with a combat vet...

---

Are you a dope-smoking illiterate? Re-read my post. I was DEFENDING military tattoos.

[TruthWillWin]

Link doesn't work.

[verity]

Thanks for the lol.

[ThePoliticalDookie]

I meant to reply to the post above yours.

[peyton randolph]

I meant to reply to the post above yours.

---

Okay.

[TruthWillWin]

You mean that nice officer with the marijuana leaf tattoo has to hide it??? Wonder why.

Tattoo's have become a generational thing. Each generation has to do something to separate it from the last. Problem is that tattoo's are a little more permanent than the things other generations did to show their independence.

[CBart95]

Every war has guys like you returning to boast of all your achievements.

Our gratitude doen't include a license to be an expert on proper conduct and dress codes of peace officers or issues of common sense. You gotta earn those by thinking and acting in adult,civilized ways.

Glad you're home safe and sound.

[Ninian Dryhope]

Sorry. It works for me. I could not see the image that was posted above so I clicked on the properties and found the address, which I pasted into the address bar.

It is a jpg that shows a tattoo that is a heart with flames that has "Your Mom" where a name would usually go.

[joesnuffy]

There are some tattoos that serve a purpose...

Thats is what both my grandma and dad said to me before I left
home for the Army...

My German grandma told me how they tattooed the Jews so that if any tried to escape they could easily identify them...my dad held a similar negative tattoo view ...(He had 25 yrs in the Navy and had none)

Almost got one back in 68 but changed my mind....glad I did.

[peyton randolph]

Tattoes are indeed déclassé. Always were; always will be.

---

One could say the same thing about using French.

A military or fraternal tattoo serves a purpose...nothing wrong with either one of them. In fact, there is much positive to be said for them.

[Eagle Eye]

Tattoos certainly separate people like me from people like you...

What kind of wuss says, "Tattoos are so déclassé."?

Oh, yeah, the type of wuss that depends on tattooed people to preserve and defend their rights, freedoms, and liberties.

I can't wait for you to tell soldiers, sailors and cops how
"déclassé" you think they are.