yes, technically. although depending on where you work they can be very lenient with tattoos.
Also, same as New York State Police, NYPD members are prohibited from having tattoos on their face, neck, or hands. As far as police agencies in the Southern Tier, we found no formal tattoo policy except that tattoos deemed offensive, are forbidden.
Most departments will prohibit any tattoos that you can see in dress uniform. If it's discrete, like initials inside your wrist or a wedding band tat, you'll be fine. If you have "LOVE" and "HATE" tattooed across your knuckles, you might not get many takers.
Yes, you can still be a police officer even if you have tattoos on your neck and hands. Some police departments may have rules about visible tattoos, but it depends on the department's policies. Some may allow officers to have tattoos as long as they are not offensive or excessive.
Whether hand tattoos would adversely affect your advancement in the federal government is entirely up to whomever is your supervisor. Officially, there isn't a dress code so long as your position isn't in the public eye.
Where's It Not Allowed. Army tattoo policy prohibits tattoos on the head, face, neck above the t-shirt collar, wrists or hands other than one ring tattoo per hand that must rest where a normal ring would. Army tattoo policy also states that leg tattoos must be two inches below or above the knee.
Traditionally, hand and finger tattoos have been labeled as “job stoppers” because they have rendered plenty of qualified people unhirable, simply because of a visible tattoo. As mentioned before, hand tattoos have grown to become more acceptable and a more common sight in the professional sphere in recent times.
Tattoos/Body Art/Branding:
Body markings that could be construed as vulgar, sexist, racist, offensive, in violation of the Hatch Act, or that are otherwise inappropriate, disruptive, or bring embarrassment or disrepute, shall not be displayed while on duty.
It isn't against the law to give a police officer the middle finger. Although it's generally considered rude and insulting, it's not illegal. However, it may toe the line of disorderly conduct. Generally, it's not wise to get into an argument with a police officer, and giving a cop the middle finger may be provocative.
The current LAFD Tattoo Policy states, "All sworn members, while on duty, shall not display any tattoos, scarification and/or brandings… and shall cover them by wearing a Department approved uniform or skin patch.” This requires LAFD members to wear long sleeve shirts at all times, regardless of the climate if members ...
Navy tattoos can be anywhere on the body except the head, face, or scalp. The Navy is the only branch that allows tattoos on the hands.
Members shall not wear any item of ornamentation in their nose, eyebrow, tongue or any other location of their body that is visible while functioning in a law enforcement capacity. Female members are authorized to wear earrings however, they will be limited to two (2) per ear. Female officers shall only be permitted to ...
The new policy bans beards, but allows exceptions for medical and religious reasons. NEW YORK — Scores of NYPD officers have turned to the Bible to avoid shaving off their beards, police sources said.
HOW PERMANENT ARE HAND TATTOOS? If you think long-term, hands and fingers may not always be a good choice. The aging process of hand tattoos, constantly exposed to intense water and sun, is adversely affected.
Face and hand tattoos are often referred to as “job stoppers” because they can keep people from getting high-paying corporate jobs. This is one reason a lot of tattoo artists will refuse to give these tattoos to young people who do not yet have an established career.
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
Content – Tattoos featuring explicit, discriminatory, or gang-related content are prohibited. In addition, ink that could be interpreted as encouraging or relating to criminal activity is banned. Visibility – NYPD officers are encouraged to conceal all tattoos while in uniform.
Based on the hiring needs, those candidates who are free of felony convictions and possess the strongest qualifications and good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation be scheduled for the remaining steps.
New regulations allow unlimited tattoos on the legs, arms, neck, hands and behind the ears. The only places on the body that are off limits are the head, face and scalp. Tattoos on the torso are also allowed, but they must not be visible underneath whites.
However, the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) website states, “Tattoos will not disqualify you from gaining employment at the CIA, and all professionally-qualified persons are encouraged to apply.”
The United States Air Force updated its policy in 2022 to allow for recruits to get waivers to enter the Air Force if hand tattoos were smaller than 25% of the surface of the hand. Other than that the policy remains the same and is pretty standard when it comes to other branch policies.