Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations

Managing a Diverse Workforce 113

Exercise 4.2: Tattoos and Piercing: Are They Acceptable

in Public Safety Positions?

The Texas Department of Public Safety requires its uniformed troopers to

cover their tattoos and branding with long - sleeved shirts or skin - toned patches

while on duty. The Austin Police Department allows tattoos except on an

offi cer ’ s face and head, and requires that offensive tattoos be covered by the

offi cer ’ s uniform or patches. In 2002, a federal court ruled that the Fort Worth

Police Department could require a heavily tattooed offi cer to cover his body

art while on duty.

In Hillsborough County, Florida, the policy for the Sheriff ’ s Offi ce states

that patrol deputies, detention deputies, and community service offi cers cannot

get new tattoos that would be visible when they wear their uniforms. Those who

already have tattoos must cover them with long - sleeved shirts and pants, even

in summer, if supervisors deem the tattoos racist, sexist, offensive, obscene, or

excessive. Tattoos that promote or support gang activity or that cover more

than half of an extremity also must be covered. Tattoos on the face, head, or

neck are banned. Uniformed personnel with acceptable tattoos in visible loca-

tions such as the forearm or hand will be grandfathered in. Applicants to the

department who have tattoos that cannot be easily covered up will not be hired.

The department ’ s appearance policy also forbids male deputies from wearing

earrings or visible body piercing. Female deputies can have earrings in only the

lower lobes, not the upper cartilage, and not on the lip or in the nose.

The Pinellas County Sheriff ’ s Offi ce and the City of Tampa ’ s Police

Department also have policies on visible tattoos. Two other local law en-

forcement agencies, the City of St. Petersburg Police Department and the

Pasco County Sheriff ’ s Offi ce do not have a policy on tattoos.

Questions

1. Is the refusal to hire an applicant with visible tattoos a type of employment
   discrimination?


2. Does a public safety employer have a right to institute personnel
   policies in regard to standards for appearance? Should the standards
   for law enforcement be different from other occupations? Explain your
   answer.


3. What are some issues that employers should consider when developing
   general standards for appearance?

Sources: Colavecchio - Van Sickler (2005); Susswein (2006, March 23).