A new policy banning visible tattoos and piercings for police officers is creating a stir in Medicine Hat, Alta. <\/p>\n
Chief Andy McGrogan says he's pleased with the changes, which prohibit his officers from revealing any tattoos, piercings or wearing unnaturally coloured hair. <\/p>\n
The changes are well researched thanks to a 2011 community survey that showed residents favoured appearance standards for police, McGrogan said. <\/p>\n
Its not what I think, its what members of the community think, McGrogan told CBC News. At the end of the day, our community has spoken and we just changed our policy to reflect that. <\/p>\n
McGrogan says the force already has a policy that requires members to cover tattoos, but this new rule ups the restrictions placed on officers. <\/p>\n
The biggest change will be for women who wear earrings any piercings around the face, including ears, have been determined to be unsafe. <\/p>\n
The policy change stemmed from a tattooed officer requesting to display his tattoos. <\/p>\n
Staff Sgt. Brent Secondiak said staff were not surprised by the new policy. <\/p>\n
I would say most of the members probably have a small one at one place or another. Very few have sleeves or exposed tattoos on their arms, Secondiak said. Were OK with it. Were really here to serve the community. <\/p>\n
In Ontario, the provincial police attempted to place restrictions on tattoos, but that decision was later overturned. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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