The chairman of the Kent Police Federation has called for the ban on police officers showing tattoos to be lifted - arguing it can act as an “icebreaker” when meeting the public face-to-face.
Ian Pointon insists dropping a ban - in force across all 43 forces in England and Wales which prevent officers showing tattoos which could cause offence to the public - would be the right thing to do in the modern era. Quoted in the Daily Mail newspaper he said: “The days of tattoos being stigmatised should be over.
“It comes down to personal taste and a generational gap in attitudes. Tattoos can actually be a good way to start a line of communication with the public. It can be a bit of an icebreaker. The days of tattoos being stigmatised should be over.”
However, the suggestion was rejected by Kent Police. Assistant Chief Constable Allyn Thomas said: “There is an expectation that officers and staff maintain a standard of appearance and dress considered professional, smart and approachable while on duty.”