Town of Manchester Police Department Body Art and Modifications(PDF, 222KB)
Dear Police Officer Candidate: As a condition of obtaining and continued employment with the Town of Manchester Police Department, all Police Officers shall adhere to the following standard regarding Body Art and Modifications: Body Art and Modifications – Tattoos and other forms of body art/modification can be perceived as unprofessional or offensive to certain members of the community. As a result, officers and civilian personnel are cautioned that tattoos or other forms of body art/modification in both covered and concealed areas of their body should not represent alliance with any group or organization which could place the employee’s impartiality and/or judgment into question, thereby, rendering them ineffective in law enforcement.
1. Tattoos
Tattoos representing bias against any protected class are prohibited.
Tattoos representing gang alliance or allegiance are prohibited.
Offensive and/or inappropriate tattoos that are visible to the public are prohibited. This includes:
o Vulgar or lewd images;
o Visual or written profanity or expletives.
Facial, head, hand, mouth, and neck tattoos are prohibited.
2. Body Modification
Visual sub-dermal or transdermal implants are prohibited, except for medical reasons.
Visible branding or intentional scarring or mutilation must adhere to the tattoo policy outlined above.
3. Personnel in violation of this order have the option of:
Covering the body art with a long-sleeve uniform;
Utilizing a tattoo concealment product;
Removal of the tattoo/implant – at the employee’s expense.
Piercings and Jewelry – Except for those designated under Section 3 Exceptions, all sworn personnel are prohibited from wearing ear plugs, nose, and/or any visible body piercings while on duty.
1. Piercings – Visible body piercings will not be worn while on duty by any male sworn employee of MPD. For a limited period of time, an exception will be made for recent ear piercings which must remain open to prevent sealing.
2. Jewelry – Any jewelry worn by sworn personnel, while on duty and in uniform, must not interfere with an officer’s equipment and must not present a hazard to the officer. If visible to the public, the jewelry must be unobtrusive and present a neutral appearance. Sworn personnel will comply with the following:
Wedding rings or other type of rings worn in a conservative style are permitted, so long as they do not interfere with an officer’s equipment and do not present a hazard to the officer.
Watches are permitted as well as emergency/medical alert bracelets or id.
Chains/necklaces and other ornamental jewelry must be concealed while on duty and in uniform. The wearing of chains, necklaces, bracelets, and other ornamental jewelry is discouraged, but if the officer chooses to do so, the jewelry worn must not interfere with the officer’s equipment or present a hazard to the officer.
3. Exceptions
While on duty, female sworn employees of the Manchester Police Department may wear earrings in the form of ear studs/small earrings that will not interfere with the officer’s equipment and must not present a hazard to the officer. If visible to the public, the jewelry must be unobtrusive and present a neutral appearance.
Dental Ornamentation – The use of gold, platinum, silver, or other veneer caps for the purpose of ornamentation is prohibited. Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneered, shall not be ornamented with designs, logos, jewels, initials, etc.