Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe banned officers from having visible tattoos as the force seeks to rebuild its public image.
In an edict sent to all 52,000 officers and staff, Hogan-Howe said body art that can be seen by the public “damages the professional image” of the force.
“With effect from the date of this announcement, tattoos on the face, or visible above a collar line, or on the hands are not permitted. All other tattoos must be covered,” said the note.
Any officers who already have visible tattoos must declare them or face the sack, according to the internal order.
A Police Federation official criticised the move, saying: “if tattoos are offensive they should be covered but there is a bit of a generational attitude to them.
“Some see them as artwork and some don’t. Tattoos are popular with high-profile footballers and pop stars,” he added.
The force is fighting to restore confidence following a string of negative stories including its handling of the News of the World phone-hacking scandal and the sacking of Simon Harwood over the death of a man during G20 protests in 2009.
Scotland Yard bans tattoos on staff
