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Careers: Police/A bit of a random question...

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Expert: - 12/16/2008


Question
Hi!
This is a bit of an etiquette question I guess you could say. I was wondering how acceptable visible tattoos are in the enforcement arena, that is, are police officers able to have tattoos on their forearms/arms granted that they are not of an offensive nature, or is this not allowed? I am asking in regards to a novel I am planning, and am currently doing research. Any information on how to go about becoming a police officer would also be very much appreciated.
 Thank you for your time.

Answer
Jordan,

Thanks for the question.


Some departments will accept tattoos and others will not. More will accept than not. It really depends on individual department policy. Those that do not accept tattoos are kind of iffy as well. Some will say you can have them, but they can not be visible to the public.

How to become a police officer also varies from state to state. To get you started with that visit the following Web Site:

www.sccja.org

This Web Site outlines all of the requirements in South Carolina. Other states also have Web Sites outlining their individual requirements.

Good luck and best wishes!

Careers: Police

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William Payne

Expertise

South Carolina general law enforcement career information. South Carolina Criminal & Traffic Laws. Field Training Manager, Court Systems, Police Recruiting & Hiring, Personnel/Employee Evaluations, Non-Lethal Weapons & Use of Force.

Experience

Retired after 24-1/2 years experience as a Municipal Police Officer. 19 years as a Sergeant. I guest instructed at the State of South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. I am a Community Policing Instructor, Field Training Officer, Instructor-Trainer in the Monadnock Expandable/PR-24 Batons, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Law Enforcement Driving Instructor, O.C. Spray Instructor, Taser Instructor, and liaison for State Accreditation Standards. I also serve as an Adjunct Instructor for Park University, where I teach in the Criminal Justice Administration Degree Program.I am currently Director of Security for a major hospital system in South Carolina.

Organizations
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer's Association.

Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Park University.
Master of Arts Degree in Management, Webster University.
Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development, Webster University.

Datamaster Operator, Monadnock PR-24/M.E.B. Instructor-Trainer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Field Training Manager, Certified Basic Investigator, Certified in Homicide Investigations.


Awards and Honors
Beaufort County, South Carolina, Police Officer of the Year, 1990.

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