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Police commission adopts limited tattoo MOU to widen candidate pool
Summary
Commissioners voted to adopt a memorandum of agreement relaxing the department’s tattoo policy to allow one small tattoo per hand or a small tattoo behind the ear, aiming to broaden the recruitment pool while maintaining restrictions on face/neck/extension tattoos.
The Police Commission voted to adopt a proposed memorandum of agreement (MOU) that narrows the department’s prior tattoo restrictions for prospective candidates.
Chief Mark Morello characterized the proposal as a “modest revision” intended to broaden the candidate pool without weakening professional appearance standards. The MOU would permit small tattoos—specifically one small tattoo per hand or a tattoo behind the ear—while preserving a prohibition on tattoos on the face, neck or large sleeve extensions. The chief said the change aims to avoid losing otherwise qualified applicants who are rejected solely over minor tattoos.
Commissioners debated whether the policy should include explicit rescission language and discussed how such provisions would be handled in contract negotiations with HR and the union. One commissioner asked whether the change could expand over time; Chief Morello said he would discuss rescission language with HR and the union and noted that MOU provisions generally fold into the next contract cycle.
After discussion, the commission voted in favor of adoption. The vote carries the MOU forward; Chief Morello and HR were asked to coordinate implementation details and any language about future modification or rescission.
