1918RESOLUTION NO. 1 ~ ~
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A POLICY FOR THE WEST MEMPHIS
POLICE DEPARTMENT REGARDING BODY ART AND TATTOOS, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the West Memphis Police Commission has considered and recommended a
policy prohibiting body art and tattoos for members of the West Memphis Police Department and a
copy of the proposed policy is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the Policy and Procedures Manual for the West
Memphis Police Department should be amended to incorporate the policy in accordance with the
recommendation of the Police Commission;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, THAT:
SECTION 1. The recommendation of the Police Commission is hereby approved and the
Policy and Procedures Manual of the West Memphis Police Department is hereby amended to
incorporate the attached policy prohibiting body art and tattoos.
SECTION 2. All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
ADOPTED this '~ ~` day of ~ p. , 2009.
WILLIAM H. JO ON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
PHILL RA, CITY CLERK
~EEIVED
SPONSORED BY: City Clerk's Office
®ate/Time o5~ 0 9 ~~ ~ ~d ~--
05/04/2009 09:32 127328648 PAGE 03
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VEST n'1E11'IPk~S PQLIC~ f7'~PAI~'~''l~iV~'~`
PQLf CX .A~N~ FROCEDLTttES
Body Art and Tattoo ~'ob~ibitlon for Elnt~ployees
l.t xs the polic}' of the West Memphis 1''oiice Depax4x~emt that all`unifornaed oxr~ployees
maintain the highest standards of professional appeax'ance wheo intexacti~ag with tht public and
represet~ti:ng the bepartment
~- C4~R~ VALUES
Maintaining a professional app~rapce is critically important to festering public
trust a~xd confidence in lain enfoxcexne~at a~td to e~c~di~g ~~ stand~atds ofthe
pzofession. 'his policy incorporates the JJepa~.xnent's core values of Service,
Teantwoxk, l~.espect, IntEgrit}-, ~Jision, amd Excellence {S"1`1tN>/).
ff. GENERAL p~LICY
A. All uniformed cnip]oyee,S are prohibited from displaying any body art,
tattoo{$), intentional Scarring, mutilation, or dental c~arncntatiozt while on
duty or' rep~'ese2Ztitnd the West MenYphis 1''alice Department in any official
capacity.
B. Any currently employed unfforined employee with existing body art,
tattoo(s), intentlOrial scaxxi,~,g, or ~xiutilation that is visible shall have the
follpwing options:
1. 'Uniformed ampleyee Skisli cover existing body art, tattoo(s), intentivxigi
,scarring, or mutilation b}- v~~earing the lang-sleeve shirt ar. uniformxm panLS;
2. Cover file ~iSting body earl, tattoo{5), intentional scarring, or nnitilation
with a skin tone patch ox rnake~up of a tattoo comer slee,>~,
3. have the tattoo(s) or bs'and{sl removed at the ernplayee's expense.
C. Body axt, tattoo{s), brand(s), intentional acairing, atad/ox m;ut~ilatiort that is not
able to be covexed is prohibited. This prohibition includes, but is not limited
to, foreign objects inserted udder the skin, pie~rce~l, split or forked tongue, and
stretched out holes in the eats.
D. Uni~Fotx~aed employees shall not have any dental orxianientation. The use of
gold, platinum, silver, or other veneer caps fdr the purpose off" otxa$naa~tatiezr
is prohibited. '1'ceth, whether natural, capped, or vet~eeted, shall not be
ortianciented with dosigxms, jewels, initials, etc,