Tattoos ban on police recruits being reconsidered
The term Military Tattoo may assume an all new meaning.
The prime minister, as minister of home affairs, has asked the police to reconsider a clause in recruitment conditions which bars applications from people who wear tattoos.
The clause was introduced in April last year and drew criticism from some quarters. It applied to all tattoos, whether visible or hidden under clothing.
Dr Gonzi, replying to a parliamentary question, said he had asked for this clause to be reconsidered in the context of the situation in police forces in the European Union.
Labour MP Joe Mizzi had asked whether the prime minister considered it an anachronism that such a condition existed.
See also: Why wear a tattoo?
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Christopher Bugeja
Jun 14th 2012, 14:45
Judging people by if they have a tattoo or not is simple discrimination....Anti-social behaviour at it's finest!
While the uniform entitles some respect, you respect a police officer not by the way he looks but by the way he acts. A friendly, fair and honest police officer who has a tattoo will always be more effective than a straight faced, cold non-tattoo wearing police officer! This should be the basis of whether a recruit becomes a police-office not because he has a tattoo or not.
If you call the emergency services and a police-officer/medic turns up to save your life would you really care if he is covered in tattoos or not?
John Azzopoardi
Jun 14th 2012, 02:13
policemen need to act seriously. No tattoos should be allowed.
J. Spiteri
Jun 14th 2012, 10:35
so you are saying that permanent ink now has the magical effect of affecting a person's personality too? if they need to act seriously, they can start by getting fitter, be more there for the citizens and be more motivated to stop fights if possible before they even start (e.g. at paceville on a saturday night)
Christopher Bugeja
Jun 14th 2012, 14:14
Congratulations Mr. Azzopardi, You've managed to post one of the most stupid comments i've seen on the internet so far....I'd be far more concerned with police officers having the same close minded frame of thought as yourself
J. Spiteri
Jun 14th 2012, 00:11
x'differenza ghanda tamlilkom li pulizija ghandu ikolla tattoo/s? mhux l-aqwa li jiprovdu servizz tajjeb u professjonali? ghala ghandkom ezatt tindahlu x'taghmel persuna b'gisima la dak li qed taghmel mhix ta hsara ghaliha inifisa, ghalik u ghal dawk tal madwar? ahjar naraw li l-puluzija ghandom fitness level tajba bizejjed li ikunu kapaci jigru wara xi hadd mhux jaqtaw nifisom wara zewg minuti f'kaz ta emergenza inkella li ikunu fuq il post mil ewwel jekk tinqala glieda/serqa mhux jilhaq iwegga sew xi hadd qabel ma jitfaccaw huma. possibli ma hemmx iktar affarijit importanti x'naraw li isiru biex nimxu il quddiem flok nehlu fuq cucati zghar bhal dawn? u dan jghodd ghas socjeta in generali. ma nistax nifhem ghaliex diskriminazjoni fuq tattoos tigi permessa malta u ghaliex l-apparenza (jew ahjar l-aparenza normali ghas socjeta) tigi meqjusa aktar importanti mil profesjonalita ta kif tati servizz, l-edukazjoni u skola. jekk jien ghandi l-istess livel jew anke ahjar ta skola, edukazjoni u kapacita daqs min ma ghandux tattoo fuq xoghol partikolari,ghaliex mandix nigi itratta ta ugwali just ghax ghandi tattoo? din hi meqjusa bhala diskriminazjoni la xoghli qed namlu tajjeb. min ma togbux hu free li ma jaghmelx tattoos imma ma ghandux jidetta, jidiskrimina u jindahal fuq x'jaghmel haddiehor. tkun kemxejn ehfef ghal kulhadd il-hajja kieku :)
R. Caruana
Jun 13th 2012, 22:56
As with many other things in life, one will always find some who judge tattoos badly as much one will find many who appreciate them, now how does Malta expect to end discrimination if it doesn't start addressing at home? Why should a section of society not be allowed to do a job because of a particular music, religious or sexual preference? Same applies to tattoos. Of course the allowance should be conditional such as dress code is after all, but to completely ban a person from having a tattoo is nothing but pure discrimination.
I am a tattooed person myself and I'm proud of my designs & I do give consideration of there placement so while I keep up with my heart's desire, I see that it doesn't infringe on anything else I do in life in a disciplined manner.
J. Camilleri
Jun 13th 2012, 22:33
I have nothing against tattoos or persons wearing them, but I think that a tattooed police officer is not something that most people would like to see, including myself. It has nothing to do with the integrity of the person but for myself tattoos and police uniforms don't go together. However I see nothing wrong if a person has a tattoo invisible under the uniform.
If tattoos were to be accepted, what about piercing then?. So where should the line be drawn?
Mark Anthony Fenech
Jun 13th 2012, 22:13
What is it that gets you so worked up against tattoos Franco Farrugia? Just asking.
Mr. Rawhide
Jun 13th 2012, 22:00
Don't be ridiculous. Police entities around the western world allow tattoos.. why does the Maltese populace go against this? a police officer is still wearing the uniform and doing his duties, weather he has or does not have a tattoo. Oh and please abolish the height requirement, police culture is heading toward community policing, height is useless and goes against human rights. A female is genetically shorter, so its unfair to female applicants. And males and females are equally capable of doing physical work (the push-ups, sit-ups and runs required), so height really is just barring excited officers to join the force.
jerry Attard
Jun 13th 2012, 20:18
Naqbel hafna li wahda mill-kundizjonijiet tkun li membru tal-korp ma jistax jkollu tattoo. Hemm aktar affarijiet li membru ma jistax jghamel biss jrid jigi ikkunpensat tajjeb bil-paga, biex iccahdu u zzommu li ma jghamilx tattoo, ma jilbis misluta , ma jizbohx xahru , ma jmurx parties
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:52
Ma kellux biex johrog, il-Prim Ministru, wkoll!
M Carabott
Jun 13th 2012, 19:21
If all the policemen who have tattoos had to resign, we would have 1/3 of a police force.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:52
Perhaps that would be a wise decision.
M Carabott
Jun 13th 2012, 20:43
@ Franco
Yes, that might be true. What I meant is that this clause was superfluous since no one stops recruits getting tattoos after they become police officers.
rob gorton
Jun 14th 2012, 13:14
what about army persons, we would have noone to protect us,
Franco Attard Trevisan
Jun 13th 2012, 19:14
better check that those who apply to join the police force are up to standard in terms of education, fitness and most of all character !!!!
It's high time to stop discriminating people who wear tattoos... It's an art form like many others!!!
it's 2012 for god's sake!
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:53
2012 has nothing to do with the argument.
I agree with you on the first paragraph but you have to realise that appearance is important.It is not 'an art like many others'.
S.M. Cuschieri
Jun 13th 2012, 22:28
@ Franco Farrugia
Of course tattoos are an art! They are an ancient art. Have you ever seen Miami/LA Ink?? I call those tattooists artists!! Literally!!
J. Spiteri
Jun 14th 2012, 00:17
qed titkellem fuq l-apparenza franco...l-apparenza tinkludi il body weight u l-fitness level ta persuna li jekk tahseb ftit x'jinkludi xogholom, huwa aktar importanti li ikunu healthy u fit milli noqodu nittikaw just ghax ghandom tattoo. forsi idejquk lilek it tattoos u fair enough ghax opinjoni ima ma nimaginax li jekk tigi bzonn ghajnuna ta puluzija u jigi jejnek wiehed li ghandu tattoo/s, ha tejdlu le ha noqghod nistenna lil puluzija iehor jigi jejni ghax int ma tiderx profesjonali. nacetaw li inti u hafna ohra ma togobomx tpengija ima acetaw ukoll li hemm min togbu u dawn ma ghandomx jigu idiskriminati ghalek.
Edmond Micallef
Jun 13th 2012, 19:05
As an observer, I know that not everyone who wears a tattoo is a 'hamallu' or a law breaker, surely.
But, it seems that almost all law breakers and 'hamalli' wear them.
Obviously, it all depends on the location of the tattoos and the amount of surface area of the body covered by them which seems to differentiate between the daring but cautious from the aggressive and don't dare me ones.
Dorielle Soler
Jun 13th 2012, 17:00
As long as the tattoo is not visible when wearing a uniform, I would not say it mattered. Fashions come and fashions go and one day tattoes, will once more be looked down upon as they were before (tal habsin u l bahrin, was the common verdict). That's life, no use agonising about it.
Carmel Vella
Jun 13th 2012, 17:55
I agree with that.
Adrian P. Cassar
Jun 13th 2012, 16:53
I have no problems with people having tattoos joining the police force.
However, I'm afraid that tattoos tend to give people a negative light. Whether this is justified or not is besides the point, as we want everyone to feel safe and trust police.
I think nowadays the majority of young people get tattoos, however sensible people usually do not have them in the forearm or neck. Therefore, just by banning people with tattoos which are visible would be a good compromise!!
Carmel Camilleri
Jun 13th 2012, 15:36
It is marvellous how this Government succumb to criticism and dare not make a stand.
Jerome Licari
Jun 13th 2012, 15:36
Consider a clause for members of parliament barring them from having tattoos whether visible or not and wait for an overwhelming surprise which crocs' tears can't wash away as they're not Hennas but permanent!!
Iris Baitrman
Jun 13th 2012, 15:16
Actually i too have a tattoo e little dolphin on my right but- cheek and another on my left cheek a little butterfly, ok not quite visible but my husband like it, and thats all that matters, not the police, not the teachers and certainly not your vicar or priest whatever you call them nowadays.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Jun 13th 2012, 19:04
LOL!
Joey Tribbiani
Jun 13th 2012, 15:15
Of course everyone has the right to do what they want with their bodies. But in my opinion having a tattoo is one of the most stupid things that a person can do. Because it is something irriversible.
S Calleja
Jun 13th 2012, 15:24
Thanks for calling me and thousands like me stupid then!!! Well I think your comment is stupid then!!
Lino Parascandalo
Jun 13th 2012, 19:01
Just because you don't admire or respect`s someone artistic values and someone idea to do want he/she wants to do with his/her body .. doesn `t mean it has to be called stupid... .. i think it's an opinion of how one describes him/herself.. or maybe just want to remember someone special who maybe passed away..... think mate before you start throwing ridiculous opinions... on the police`s matter yes i agree if it's not shown when the uniform is worn i don`t see nothing negative about that.
Andy Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 15:11
And which adage are we going to follow? "L-ewwel ma tiekol l-ghajn"? "Mhux kull ma jleqq hu deheb"? "Don't judge a book by its cover"? "First impressions are the truest"? Rather confusing.... better make up our own adage/s..."Kulhadd jaghmel li jrid" or "Anything that turns you on".
Ms S. Fenech
Jun 13th 2012, 14:48
Coming out of a person who does not like to be inked.......... but considers tattoos as an art!
Better an intelligent and helpful policeman with a tattoo rather then a spotless policeman who ignores my queries and bluntly answers 'I do not know!' without even listening to my questions or asking my name to see what I am talking about!!
Franco Attard Trevisan
Jun 13th 2012, 19:05
spot on!
I Bugeja
Jun 13th 2012, 14:28
I got a tattoo!
I also have a degree and am reading for my masters, I have a stable job within a reputable company and do not have a dent on my police conduct.
Tattoos do not prove the decency of people, they only show the ignorance of others at judging some who they percieve to be different.
Lino Parascandalo
Jun 13th 2012, 19:02
nicely put mate..... !!!!! could nt agree more !
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:51
@ I Bugeja: No need to tell us for the umpteenth time what kind of graduates are coming out of Uni.
Carmel De Gabriele
Jun 13th 2012, 20:56
I agree but for your information you must also consider that a person with many tattoos will not even have the opportunity to have an MRI (even if that is the only means to discover what kind of illness he/she are suffering from) because the ink causes a distortion to the results.
Mr mario aquilina
Jun 13th 2012, 14:28
Thats exactly what we need. Hooligan looking people with tattoos in the police force, more than we already have without.
Also, it is time to get rid of the overweight ones that look like a sack of potatoes. Unkept and unpolished. Have you every compared how our police in uniform look against the ones abroad! Who came up with the idea that our police stick their jumper inside their trousers needs shooting.
Imagine this:- a tourist taking a picture of our police box outside parliament, containing a sack of potatoes wearing a jumper. Lovely Jubbly.
Ms Maria Vella
Jun 13th 2012, 14:54
Just because people have a tattoo doesn't mean they are hooligans! Dont generalise!
I do however agree that overweight policemen/women should not be allowed to work for the force - they should be fit and able apart from ridiculing the uniform and what they represent
Anthony Falzon
Jun 13th 2012, 16:57
POLICE OFFICERS WHO IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN ACCUSED AND FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER, ROBBERIES AND SO ON, DID THEY HAVE ANY TATOOS?
Mr Joseph Apap
Jun 13th 2012, 14:09
People with tatoos should not be employed as a Policeman and nor with the Peblic service in certain position
eg. a teacher and other persons in similar positions
Alexandra MalliaBorg
Jun 13th 2012, 14:19
Better not employing any Japanese personal then, cause tattoos in japan is part of their culture. I know of at least 2 people of the cloth that do wear a tattoo well hidden of course , but not when when i was in the seminar in Australia and often go on beaches camping during our holiday breaks., what about the Maoris of New Zealand, some Arab wone, need i carry on.. Get a life sunshine, cause these are real people and not angels walking about with a great big helo around their head, they are people in their own right.
I Bugeja
Jun 13th 2012, 14:21
and why is that?
C Spiteri
Jun 13th 2012, 14:21
Alla biss jigudika ibqqa ftakara dil kelma
S Calleja
Jun 13th 2012, 15:28
And who are you exactly to judge tattoes people???!! What makes untattoed people better for these jobs??
Andy Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 15:38
@ C Spiteri
"Alla biss jigudika ibqqa ftakara dil kelma " Ma nahsibx, taf! U jekk hemm min ma jemminx Bih? X'naghmlu? Ma jiggudika hadd u kulhadd jaghmel li jrid! Mhux hekk?
Lino Parascandalo
Jun 13th 2012, 19:04
Ridiculous - tell us your opinion why not?
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:50
@ Mr Apap: Agreed.
Shaun Camilleri
Jul 8th 2012, 12:50
nistghageb kemm ghad hawn nies hawn Malta mohhhom maghluq! Ghadni kemm applikajt ghal pulizija u ma gejtx maghzul! Dan kollu ghax ghandi tattoo fuq darhi li biex tara trid tnehhi hwejjeg. Persuna li kull m'ghanda 3 O'levels giet accetata mentri persuna li ghanda 11 o'levels, 4 intermediate u a'level m'accetawhiex ghax ghanda tattoo. Jidrilkhom li persuna li ma kinitx kapaci taghmel karta ta' o'level ser tkun kapaci tkun fis servizz????
C Spiteri
Jun 13th 2012, 14:05
li tigudika bniedem ghax jkollu tattoo hija injoranza ! ghal dawn l-affarijet malta ghadna mitt sena lura ! ghax barra minn malta tara pulizija bi tattoo imma hawn malta le ghax kif naraw li xi hadd b'tattoo malajr nibdew intuh il voti bhal habsi drugat halliel u elf titlu iehor ! wara kollox hadd m'ghandu jiggudika li hadd
donald borg
Jun 13th 2012, 13:51
It depends what type of tattoo. Sometimes the tattoo reflects the mentality of the person wearing it.Nowadays you see many footballers wearing Tattoo and they are great players. This shows that the tattoo does not hinder the performance. Even criminals go to court wearing tie and jacket but the Judge is not impressed.So I agree that rules should be stipulated re what type of Tattoos are acceptable re police force.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:49
Don't let me tell you what kind of character most footballers have. Please, don't let me start.
D. A . Agius
Jun 13th 2012, 13:50
This is just a simple issue. As long as tattoos are not visible, at least when using normal uniform articles (including physical fitness training) they should be allowed.
If they may be visible, then they should be scrutinised to confirm whether they may be "offensive" or unsuitable on a Police Officer.
Where the force could also look at could be facial hair regulations. Smartly kept goatees and beards could be allowed as well though their wearing restrict participation in some ceremonial activities. The English do and the Force could do away with its more Brit than the Brits look!
And finally, the uniform should move over to the 21st century. Save for allowing the wearing of the sweater top I guess the last sizeable change happened when they moved over from the Closed jacket collar to the current one in 1958 and in 1989 when the summer uniform changed colours the current one.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:49
All tattoos are offensive on certain employees!
Emanuel Micallef
Jun 13th 2012, 13:29
Well, well, well. The Priime Minister has found the time to advise the C. of P. And on what? On tattoos. Yes you have read well. ON TATTOOS!!! Give me a break. Should I laugh or should I cry?
Twanny Scerri
Jun 13th 2012, 17:14
You can do what you want Mr. Micallef. But in this issue, it could mean a job for a family man. If you consider it trivial, others might not.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:48
@ Twanny Scerri: A 'family man' should have thought carefully before having a tattoo drawn on his body. We are here talking about supposedly serious jobs!
Lawrence Fenech
Jun 13th 2012, 13:24
M'HEMMX GHAGGLA.
J Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 13:07
About time too, it's 2012 after all
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:48
Ok, so it's 2012. So?
S Calleja
Jun 14th 2012, 13:28
So Franco Farrugia you need to update yourself with the current evolved times :) I am a tottoed person. I hold a good job in the financial sector and I consider myself a very good person!
Jonathan Cauchi
Jun 13th 2012, 13:07
As long as the tattoos are not offensive to other religions or they do not show racism ...
I totally agree with it.
Accepting people with tattoos in the police force is not lowering the standards ... we're people with families too!
C Spiteri
Jun 13th 2012, 14:05
Well said mate !
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:47
If you'e people with families too, you should have thought about it before having that tattoo! Apply for a position at the bank, see what they will tell you!
A Sultana
Jun 13th 2012, 13:03
this is the picture mr casha
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m59jq6gV0t1qjev70o1_1280.png
@: fred visible tattoos give a bad impression to YOU, not to me
@ franco - tattoos is a form of art. plus quite a few people have tattoos that remind them of someone (dead or alive), or special occasions (birth of their children). make up artist sascha has a tattoo on her back (or side) in honour of her friend the dog.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:47
@ A Sultana: That's your opinion, not mine. Why don't you see tattoos on bank-employees? So why should you see them on officers of the law? Heaven forbid! Mhux bizzejjed waqajna baxx?
Jean-Michel Azzopardi
Jun 13th 2012, 13:03
This mentality is disgusting. I've not got any tattoo's but nobody should be treated differently was thinking differently.
David Smith
Jun 13th 2012, 12:54
Whether justified or not, a lot of people distrust persons with tattoos. That is an undisputable fact of life. So why create more opportunities that can undermine people's confidence in the police force?
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:45
Exactly!
J. Spiteri
Jun 14th 2012, 00:25
how about we start doing something to change the mentality of people david instead of making more people unemployed just because they aren't afraid to express themselves using ink. it's not drugs or something evil for god's sake it's just permanent ink. and i'm pretty pretty sure that people lost their confidence in the malta police force because of their lack of professionalism not because they have a tattoo on their body (especially if it's not even visible). it's very fine if you don't like it, just we live in a 'free country', don't discriminate people who don't have your same opinion especially if their opinion will not influence you or your loved ones.
fred sammut
Jun 13th 2012, 12:49
I m very to sound racsists but visible tattoes gives bad impertion
fred sammut
Jun 13th 2012, 12:53
Upps it should read ... I m very sorry to sound..........
M Borg
Jun 13th 2012, 13:43
Agree ,can you imagine a tattoo showing from under the sleeve in summer ?
Call me old fashioned, if you want, but I repeat it does not look nice.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:45
@ M Borg: You're not old-fashioned, you just know what it means to have style, class!
Joseph Casha
Jun 13th 2012, 12:38
Recently a photo has been going viral about tattos. it is a photo of a policeman in norway wearing a short sleeved uniform and arms covered in tattoos. the handcuffs he was applying were those of anders brevik's who was dressed all smart in a suit. NEVER judge a book by it's cover!
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:44
But the cover is all important, never forget that.
T.F. Busuttil
Jun 13th 2012, 12:37
If the commissioner re consider (dont forget John election soon coming) all tattoos should be covered even in summer. If they cannot cover them they should not be employed.
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jun 13th 2012, 12:35
While I'd never consider applying a tattoo on myself due to its permanent nature, this clause is discriminatory.
One could have his whole body full of tattoos and be the most righteous person imaginable, while a suited man could easily be a con man who would defraud his own mother.
This is as bad as racial discrimination to me.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:44
It is not discriminatory. Go for an interview with a bank, full of tattoos, and see where they will get you!
Christopher Bugeja
Jun 14th 2012, 14:53
@Franco Farrugia - I know a lot of people working in banks who have tattoos.. Luckily nowadays, companies also use personality tests during the interview phase. I'm afraid your closed mindedness and superiority complex may not serve you well in these types of tests!
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 12:35
The ban on tattoos should remain. No, it is not an anachronism.
Mr Mizzi and Dr Gonzi, it is never wise to lower standards!
E. Tabone
Jun 13th 2012, 13:12
So Franco, according to you, a person with a tattoo gives a lower standard of service to his employee.
Joanna Gauci
Jun 13th 2012, 13:18
Please excuse me Mr. Farrugia, what do you mean exactly by 'lower standards'?
Do you intend that people with tattoos are of a lower standard or class?
If so you not being one of a very high standard yourself .... by declassing others
Persons who come from all different life styles wear tattoos, and it does not matter as a matter of fact... the only thing that matters is how one behaves, only that indicates what the person is truly made of ...
Every form of discrimination is bad.
Prosit to Dr. Gonz and Mr. Mizzi something that should have been done quite awhile ago.
J. Micallef
Jun 13th 2012, 13:22
Oh is it how it works then ?? I'll take your comment personally then, because I am all patched up with tattoos. And for your information.... people like you should go and get a life.
J Degabriele
Jun 13th 2012, 17:28
@ J.Micallef
Some life, just by getting a tattoo!!
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2012, 19:43
@ E Tabone: Yes.
@ Joanna Gauci: Yes, they are. So you don't believe that there are classes of people? Geez!
@ J. Micallef: Please, do. But if you only knew what kind of life I lead, you wouldn't say what you just said.
Joanna Gauci
Jun 14th 2012, 07:40
He sure did have style and what a pity, no tattoos... maybe he will get one in some next movie though
Behaviour and manners build the person who may come from any different social background (no classes pls), the cover is important truly but the content is much much more...
Amante Reale
Jun 14th 2012, 16:10
@franco:
You're not even a particularly good troll.
Please choose the reason of your report below: