Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor said he intends to loosen the department’s current policies on tattoos in hopes of recruiting more officers for the department
One of the more common questions LPD receives from potential new recruits is about the department’s tattoo and beard policies, according to the chief.
“I don’t understand it, but it’s important to these younger folks,” Taylor said.
Under LPD’s current policies, officers are prohibited from displaying a tattoo that covers 50% or more of their arm. The department’s policy defines this as the area from the edge of their uniform sleeve falls to their wrist. Any continuous tattoo that runs the length of the person’s arm is also prohibited even if covers less than half the arm.
Any officer with such a tattoo, commonly called a full sleeve, must wear a long-sleeve uniform shirt.
“I think we have missed out on some folks in the past because of our tattoo policy,” the chief said.
Taylor said he plans to eliminate the department’s restrictions on arm tattoos but will uphold regulations that prevent officers from having tattoos on their face, neck, or hands.