PNP to regulate tattoos among personnel, applicants

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will now regulate tattoos among its personnel and applicants, the police organization said Monday. 

In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said this is under Memorandum Circular 2024-023 approved on March 19 and will take effect 15 days after publication.

“‘Yung mga papasok po at may intensyong pumasok sa PNP via lateral entry, 'yung atin pong mga kadete sa PNPA, mga papasok po ng patrolman o patrolwoman, definitely po ay hindi po sila puwedeng pumasok sa PNP na may tattoo,” she said.

(Those who intend to join the PNP via lateral entry, our cadets in the PNPA, those who want join as patrolmen or patrolwomen, they definitely cannot enter the PNP if they have tattoos.)

Meanwhile, police officers who already have tattoos prior to the effectivity of the new policy have to declare all their body arts and are no longer allowed to get new ones especially in areas visible when wearing a uniform. 

“Kung ako po ang pulis na kasalukuyang may tattoo sa katawan ay ilalagay ko po doon kung ano 'yung mga specific na tattoo ko doon,” she said. 

(If I am a police personnel who has a tattoo, I should declare the specific tattoos that I have.)

“After po maging effective noong memorandum circular ay hindi na po pupuwede akong magdagdag ng tattoo sa aking katawan especially kung ito ay visible habang naka-suot ng uniporme,” she added. 

(Once the memorandum circular becomes effective, I will no longer be allowed to add a tattoo, especially if it is visible while I am wearing a uniform.)

Exempted are tattoos for aesthetic purposes like eyebrows, according to Fajardo. 

Among the tattoos that will be prohibited are those associated with extremism, illegal activities, and indecency, she added.

“Kasi pangit po naman na naka-uniporme po ang mga pulis natin na tadtad ng tattoo. Kaya nga ang sabi nga po, puwede kayong mag-tattoo doon sa hindi visible po,” Fajardo said. 

(Because it does not look good if our policemen on uniform are full of tattoos.)—AOL, GMA Integrated News