THE REAL: INTERVIEW WITH A POLICE OFFICER WHO’S UPSET ABOUT THE TATTOO BAN

UK coppers are banned from getting tattoos, and this guy ain’t too happy about it.

PRETTY REAL: Hey, how do you feel about this whole tattoo ban situation?
It’s not right. I’m not sure why I have to register my tattoos. It has absolutely no affect on how well I do my job – It’s a blatant form of discrimination. How would you feel if they made you declare your ethnicity to your manager?

Is that how you see it, like a racial thing?
Pretty much. We’re being singled out and judged because we have art on our bodies. They’re basically saying they need to keep an eye on us.  Now matter how good I am at my job, I’m now labelled a troublemaker because of my tatts.

I have to admit, I would find it a little weird if I saw a policeman with tattoos all over his face and hands.
That’s because you have preconceived attitude about people who have tattoos. It’s just like racial profiling. It’s like me looking at a black person and saying they’re a criminal just because of their skin. I joined the police force to make a difference, but now they’re saying I’m bad for their image because of my tattoos? It’s a huge slap in the face.

What tattoos do you have?
Two full sleeves, a large one on my back, one on my neck and my mums name on my index finger, she passed away six months ago.

Sorry to hear that. So what happens after you register your tattoos?
Im not sure, but if we don’t, we face disciplinary action.

Are you going to register yours?
They already know about my tattoos, it’s not a secret. They asked me to cover up my sleeves a while back, so I sensed something like this was coming. They’ll probably try and get rid of us all next.

Let’s hope not. Don’t let them bully you, man. Maybe you could set up some kind of anti-tattoo prejudice group? There’s power in numbers.
Sounds good on paper, but I don’t think that would be a good idea.

Yeah, you’re probably right. 

- Donald Crunk

Date: 18/10/2012

Author: pretty real

Category: FEATURED / INTERVIEWS / THE REAL

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