Southern California police department allows officers to display tattoos while on duty

A Brea police officer with tattoos on his left arm uses a computer. Brea police officers are now allowed to show off their tattoos while on duty as part of a pilot program aimed at improving retention and recruitment, as well as providing some relief from the heat. A video posted on the department’s Instagram account Thursday shows Brea officers flaunting their inked-up arms as they conducted traffic stops, checked identification and fist-bumped residents. The policy isn’t just about aesthetics — though Haddad said “some of our officers have, frankly, some beautiful works of art.” The program aims to make officers more comfortable in hot weather, incentivize recruitment and retention and “humanize” the badge, according to the Instagram post. Among the questions is, “Do you think allowing officers to show tattoos is a good idea from a culturally progressive, forward-thinking perspective?” People who like tattoos, Haddad said, have come up to officers and asked about them.