RPD: Tattoo and body art restrictions for prospective members

All prospective employees of the Rochester Police Department (RPD) should be aware of the following criteria for employees regarding tattoos and body art, as directed by General Order 350 (Uniform, Equipment and Personal Appearance). Failure to comply with any of the below policies will be grounds of not being hired by the RPD. 

• Effective January 31, 2012, all employees are prohibited from displaying any tattoos, body art (non-permanent pictures, symbols, insignia, colorings or markings of any kind), brand(s), intentional scarring, mutilation or dental ornamentation while on duty or representing the Department in any official capacity. Uniform employees while on duty shall cover existing tattoos, body art, intentional scarring or mutilation by wearing the uniform long-sleeve shirt and/or uniform pants/breeches, or a skin tone patch or make-up. Non-uniform employees will wear authorized clothing that conceals any tattoo(s), body art, brand(s), intentional scarring or mutilation, or may use a skin tone patch or make-up to conceal it. 
•  Tattoo(s), body art, brand(s), intentional scarring and/or mutilation that cannot be covered or concealed, or that are inappropriate, offensive, or unprofessional, are prohibited. 
• Foreign objects inserted under the skin, pierced, split or forked tongue and/or stretched-out holes in the ears are prohibited. 
• Employees shall not have any dental ornamentation. The use of gold, platinum, silver or other veneer caps for the purposes of ornamentation is prohibited. Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneered, shall not be ornamented with designs, jewels, initials, etc. 

NOTE: There are exceptions to this Order for current employees who have pre-existing tattoos prior to the effective date.