Tattoos and Body Art

Section 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) is to ensure all members of the Maitland Fire Rescue Department maintain a professional personal appearance at all times while performing their duties.

DISCUSSION:

Employees of the Maitland Fire Rescue Department shall present a professional appearance at all times. Nothing herein shall preclude the Fire Chief from permitting temporary departures from this SOG based on need, conditions, or circumstances. This department recognizes self-expression, but ultimately maintains the authority to mandate a professional appearance standard the Fire Chief, or designee, deems appropriate.

POLICY:

It shall be the policy of the Maitland Fire Rescue Department that employees present a neat, clean, and orderly appearance at all times.

DEFINITIONS

Tattoo – Any sub-dermal inking, scar, branding, mark, or other permanent or temporary body art or modification deliberately placed on the body for purposes of decoration, ornamentation, or adornment. The term “tattoo” shall not apply to medical procedures (i.e. cosmetic eyeliner, lipstick, etc.).

TATTOO(S)

Personnel employed with the department prior July 1, 2021 are exempt from this particular provision, as to their existing tattoos at that time. Any additional tattoos will meet the requirements prescribed within this SOG.

At no time shall any tattoos be visible while wearing Class A uniform.

Prohibited Tattoos: Department personnel are prohibited from having visible tattoos on the hands and above the collarbone, such as on the neck, head face, tongue, lips, and scalp.

Tattoos to be covered: Tattoos visible elsewhere on the body that are prejudicial to the good order, discipline, and morale or are of a nature that bring discredit to the City of Maitland must be covered at all times while on duty with a long-sleeved uniform shirt and uniform pants. The following tattoos shall be considered as being prejudicial or of a discrediting nature as deemed by the Fire Chief: Tattoos that depict nudity or sexual acts; display obscene, racist, sexist or vulgar words; or display illustrations that promote, support or identify gangs, gang activity or gang affiliation, acts of violence, and any drug use either legal or illegal.

Tattoos that depict, describe, or refer to intolerance of, or discrimination against, any race, color, religion, gender, or national origin, including tattoos depicting or suggesting association with organizations or groups which advocate such intolerance or discrimination.

APPEARANCE

Hairstyles, body piercing, tongue piercing, tongue splitting or bifurcation, branding, scarification, fingernails of excessive length, fingernail decorations, or any other fads which do not present a professional, conservative appearance are not acceptable. Department personnel will not wear any item of ornamentation in their nose, eyebrow, tongue, or any other location of their body that is visible during duty hours or any duty related function. The exception is that of post-style earrings. Nothing in this policy is to be construed as prohibiting body modifications necessitated by deformity or injury.

Employees shall not have any dental ornamentation. The use of gold, platinum, silver, or other veneer caps for the purpose of ornamentation are prohibited. Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneered, shall not be ornamented with designs, jewels, etc. Abnormal filing of the teeth is also prohibited.

APPEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

Any member of the department who has a tattoo that is prohibited shall remove the tattoo at their own expense; or, cover the tattoo if permitted in accordance with this SOG.

Contact lenses, if worn on duty, shall be in a natural eye color. Red, orange, silver, and other unnaturally colored contact lenses, or colors when worn that create an unnatural eye color, and contact lenses with graphic designs of any kind are prohibited.