No (visible) ink allowed for Si's folk

UPDATED

Jessica Brown reports:

Union leaders met with Sheriff Leis today to voice their objections to the new tattoo policy. They offered some unspecified suggestions that would "make the policy acceptable to union members," said David Stanley, staff representative for the union. He said the sheriff will get back to the union on the suggestions. No timeline was given.

Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis is prohibiting his uniformed officers from showing their tats. (Read the Enquirer story here)

Anyone with visible tattoos on their arms must cover up. That means long sleeved shirts this summer for the 37 officers with lower-arm tattoos, while the other 663 officers get to switch to short sleeves.

By the way, ordering the new "summer-weight" long-sleeved shirts will cost the sheriff's office over $4,000.

Leis, who is allowed to declare policy for his office, also will not be hiring any new officers if they have tattoos that show when wearing a short-sleeved shirt.

Leis says the tattoos just don't present a proper image. Many other law enforcement agencies and even the U.S. Marines agree and have enacted similar policies.



Here's the entire rule book on "general appearance" for the sheriff's office detailing everything from fingernail length to gum-chewing habits. The tattoo rules are on page 5.



And, in case you're interested, here's the Ohio State Highway Patrol's rules on tattoos.