Aussie cops must hide tattoos

2012-01-29 13:50

Sydney - Police in Australia's biggest state learned on Sunday that they could have tattoos beneath their uniforms but no ink that is visible to the public.

"Does the community want someone knocking on their door with a Mike Tyson Tattoo on their face or neck?" Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy told Sydney's Sunday Telegraph.

"This is about professionalism, it's about proper discipline and how you carry yourself in public."

Corboy did not say whether those among the 16 000 New South Wales Police Force officers with tattoos would be obliged to have them removed. Officers with arm-length tattoos might have to wear long-sleeved shirts.

The ruling comes a month after police officers in Victoria, the second-largest state, were told to get rid of beards, designer stubble and hair dye.

Women among the 14 000-member force were told that ponytails were out and buns were back in.

Police Association spokesperson Greg Davies said that officers "need to gain back some respect that has been lost over the past decade or so, and this is a good step towards achieving that."

- SAPA