‘Anachronistic’ tattoo ban on police recruits kept

A ban on visible tattoos for police recruits which was described as an “anachronism” four years ago by then opposition Labour MPs Joe Mizzi and Marie Louise Coleiro Preca is still in place.

The ban was heavily criticised when introduced in 2012 as it applied to police recruits having a tattoo, whether visible or hidden under clothing.

A call for new police constables published this week in the government gazette says that applications by candidates having visible tattoos or body piercings will not be considered. Applicants having other tattoos will be considered on a ‘case-by-case’ basis, the call for applications says.

This policy effectively excludes all recruits with tattoos on their arms, wrists, legs and neck from joining the police force.

Questions about the ban sent to the Home Affairs Ministry were not answered by the time of going to print.

The debate was sparked in Parliament in 2012 when then Opposition Labour MP Gavin Gulia claimed two applicants for the force were rejected because they had shoulder tattoos. Then prime minister Lawrence Gonzi asked the police to reconsider.

The policy on tattoos vary markedly from country to country. In 2012 London’s metropolitan...