tattoos???

[VAsteve20]

I've got a quick question concerning tattoo's
I've got two of them on the insides of my arms (around the upper biceps).
Both are not visible unless I lift my arms up over my head.
Could this be a disQual?
as for those wondering the content or the message the art work puts across well I'll explain them both.
one is a Swallow(a type of bird) with a drug free ribbon wrapped around it.
the other is my straight edge X's
for those that dont know what a straight edge person is, basicly its a series of three X's and Each X has its meaning, no drugs, no sex out side of an unestablished relationship, and no drinking. Sounds like a rather dull teen life eh? But rewarding to know I'm Strong enough to be all of the above in todays day and age.

The meanings are positive, but I know some departments are really strict when it comes to tattoo art work.
Any information would be greatly appreciated
Steve S.
Chesapeake, VA

[Gooch]

Most departments would not disqualify you because of tattoos. Obviously, any gang tattoos or prison tats would not be good at all. Some more conservative departments go as far as requiring you to keep them covered while in uniform by wearing a long sleeve or something to that effect but most departments are pretty tolerant of tattoos.

[Delta_V]

The vast majority of departments that I'm familiar with require tattoos to be covered while in uniform. If they're on your upper arms, that shouldn't be a problem.

[keith758]

You should be OK as long as you don't have anything tattooed on your knuckles, face or neck!:p

[anmccoy]

I have several tattoos and that never stopped me from applying to U.S.S.S.

[kttref]

Good to see there are more sXe kids still out there....that haven't broken their edge! Regardless, in New England many places don't mind too much. If you can cover them great, if not oh well. But it shouldn't DQ you...although I don't know about VA, but up here you'd be fine.

My husband just graduated an academy up here and one of the guys he went through with got a tattoo DURING the academy...so again, you should be cool.

[SaNdMaN]

Having tattoos in and of itself is not a disqualifier out here, however, the content and meaning of your tattoos may be a different story.

I'll tell you now that alot of departments who are familiar with straight edge and hardline are going to hammer you about it. There has been alot of violence associated with those groups and their ties to ALF and ELF.

I'm not saying you're a bad dude or anytyhing, I'm just saying be prepared to answer those questions if the BI knows anything about gangs and youth culture. Let's just say out here it is a good concept poorly executed in the Rocky Mtn/Utah region...

[kttref]

In Utah especially sXe tattoos and hardline tattoos are a big deal and rightly so should be looked at. Out here on the East Coast it is entirely different. Trust me. I've done more research into then you can possibly imagine. But seriously here in New England it's not a big deal and they'd actually see it as a good thing...because believe it or not, there aren't too many people who know about the Utah/SLC scene.

...by the way are you veggie or vegan? that will relate too.

[SaNdMaN]

Trust me. I've done more research into then you can possibly imagine.

I have a vivid imagination.

...by the way are you veggie or vegan? that will relate too.

I wouldn't worry about that. My pd has a few vegetarians...

[kttref]

Sandman, the point I'm trying to get across with being vegan, specifically, is they are more related to hardliners then meat-eaters. Personally I'm sXe and was vegetarian for almost 8 years, I doubt these will cause problems in my LE dreams...and I don't think that VaSteve20 will have a problem...not in VA or anywhere on the East Coast...


...kinda off track, but Sandman, do you know if CO accepts laterals from CT?

[SaNdMaN]

...kinda off track, but Sandman, do you know if CO accepts laterals from CT?

I'm not positive but I would imagine so...My PD has laterals from NYPD and Arkansas. DPD has a big trophy case with a shoulder patch from their laterals old agency. I would think that all 50 states are represented. I think all you have to do is challenge the POST test...

[kttref]

Got it...my husband and I are considering moving to CO when we retire (years and years away)...and we were talking about if they accepted CT laterals. Thanks.

[LockDown]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember watching something on TV about straight edgers being a type of gang.....and beating the crap out of people that WEREN'T to their specifications. :confused:

[kttref]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember watching something on TV about straight edgers being a type of gang.....and beating the crap out of people that WEREN'T to their specifications.

You watched 20/20...You're right and wrong. There are a minority of people who associate themselves with straight edge that do beat the crap out of people. But the majority are like myself...don't drink, don't do drugs, etc. If anyone wants, I have very rudimentary report I did a few years back in college that would explain the scene much more then I could explain to you now. (email me at kttref@aol.com if you want to read it)

Straight edge is about a message and the music. It IS NOT about beating the crap out of people who drink/smoke etc. It's about what you believe and what you value.

20/20 focused on the HARDLINERS, those that beat the crap out of people (Live in the Salt Lake City area)...they did nothing about the East Coast sXe scene...It is drastically different...needless to say 20/20 got a few letters trying to get them to redo the story or at least appologize for what they said......it never happend.