MILLSBORO, Del. - The Millsboro Police Department has officially changed its tattoo policy from no tattoo visibility to allowing officers to show their tattoos with some restrictions.
Officers do not need to wear sleeves to cover up their arm tattoos or find ways to cover other body, but they do have some limitations. Officers are forbidden from having tattoos on their necks, face and hands with the exception of the left ring finger.
Other Sussex county police departments, such as the Lewes, Seaford and Georgetown police department allow the visibility of tattoos, but have similar restrictions as Millsboro.
Chief Brian Calloway said the department's new tattoo policy will hopefully help the recruitment process.
"I looked at this as way to attract other people for, to apply to our police department that currently may have tattoos that are on their arms and maybe they think they can't get into law enforcement because of tattoo restrictions," said Calloway.
In addition to the tattoo policy helping the recruitment process, Calloway said tattoos are a good ice breaker when dealing with an individual in critical condition.
"It certainly can be a talking piece when someone's in a critical situation and they just want to speak to someone and it could be something that just starts that conversation," Calloway explained.
Some members of the public said they are in favor of police officers having and showing off their ink.
"I think police getting tattooed is a good thing," said Andrew White, a tattoo artist. "I mean I think its positive in the aspect that it makes them more approachable. I feel like to some people ya know what I mean, when they see them getting tattooed it makes it easier for them to talk to if they need to."
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