Tattooed New Haven Cop May Keep Job

NEW HAVEN, CT — A New Haven Police officer who is sporting three face and neck tattoos has agreed to cover them up while on duty. The Police Commission had a termination hearing Wednesday, but decided to hold off for 30 days after Bandy said he would cover up the tattoos with makeup.

Former Chief Anthony Campbell and current Acting Police Chief Otoniel Reyes recommended that Officer Jason Bandy be fired, according to the New Haven Register.

Reyes said that the tattoos violated department policy and can be a distraction. Lawyers for the police union argued that there is no specific policy against tattoos in the department.

Bandy rejected an offer to have the tattoos surgically removed after a dermatologist said it would leave him with lasting scars, according to the New Haven Independent. He rejected another offer that called for the tatoos to be covered at all times and for him to withdraw a Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities complaint.

Read the full Register report here.

Read the full Independent report here.