The Yakima Police Department has had a long standing policy of no visible tattoo's but that policy is loosening.

The policy was initiated in 2012 due to officers with controversial tattoos that could be viewed as discriminatory or hate messages or show sexual body parts.

Interim Chief George Jones stated in a recent interview that limiting tattoos could be potentially harming the recruitment of future officers from military and other non-traditional sources. Jones explained the tattoo policy in depth.

 Although officers soon will be able to show their tattoos, restrictions most likely will remain on ink depicting hateful, discriminatory or sexual messages, Jones said.

The department is working with the officers’ union and other interested parties to devise the new policy, which is expected to be complete by the end of the year, Jones said.

Before deciding to relax the policy, the department used its Facebook page and other social media accounts to ask the public for its input.

More than 90 percent of the 2,500 residents who responded favored allowing officers to show their tattoos, Jones said.

“It’s funny to see that the public doesn’t have any discord for it,” he said. “They’re supportive of it, overwhelmingly.”

It seems like a step in the right direction for the department and anything that makes recruiting quality officers a priority is a good thing. You can check out more details on the policy here

 

 

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