Tayside Police officers could be about to mount an expensive summer cover-up of their tattoos.
Police Federation secretary Dave Hamilton fears policemen and women could send the force’s budget for uniforms soaring to cover the artwork on their arms to comply with an official policy.
He stated: ”I think this is a possibility, in that money will have to be found for long-sleeved jackets, shirts and T-shirts for officers to wear in the summer months when that money could be better used for other things.
”There is the potential for increased costs and we are against the policy as we think this should not be a priority for Tayside Police at this time.”
Sergeant Hamilton was commenting on Chief Constable Justice Curran’s plans to ban visible tattoos. The current policy is that tattoos or body art must be covered if they could be considered either offensive or inappropriate but the new version says all visible tattoos must be covered and those who cannot cover up must speak to the head of the force’s human resources department.
So far, the force has received an average of six requests a week for long-sleeved garments and a spokeswoman said this level of demand has not changed from the time of the old policy.
Sergeant Hamilton believed little significance could be attached to the existing demand as officers would naturally be wearing long-sleeved garments in the winter months.
Once the warmer weather arrives, however, outer garments would be cast off and officers with tattoos are more likely to expose their arm artwork.
”I think the problem may well come down the line if people are being instructed to cover up tattoos and there may be extra costs for the force in equipping officers with longer-sleeved clothes,” he said.
”Officers can’t wear their jackets and tunics all the time and the traditional shirts or T-shirts are short-sleeved. We do not have a long-sleeved undergarment or T-shirt, so I’ve no idea how this issue will be tackled.
”Our office has received a lot of calls from officers about this. There is concern out there and it could also become costly for the force to meet higher uniform costs from officers who have no other way to cover the tattoos on their arms.”
Undercover officers could be especially affected by the new plans, as concealing tattoos might make it harder for them to blend in with operational environments.
Tayside Police say they have a duty to provide the highest standards of service to the public. Personal appearance of officers and staff is an important aspect of those standards.
”The force does not consider it appropriate for tattoos to be overtly displayed and will make suitable uniform available to try to ensure this is not the case,” the statement added.
”Where tattoos cannot be concealed, officers will be asked to seek guidance from the head of human resources to help find a solution.”