Man Denied A Job As Special Constable Due To “Offensive” Tattoos
A 29-year-old man with a tattoo of an alien and a skeleton on his arms has been denied a job as a special constable because his tattoos could upset other police officers and the public. Recently, Matthew Burns applied to Kent Police, but was surprised when he was rejected a few days later, as he has been a volunteer for the Kent Search and Rescue and St John Ambulance for over a decade.
Burns appealed the decision, but was told that his tattoos could be considered offensive to other members of the police force. He said that he works with cops at all times – when they come across a vehicle accident they work with them, but now they are saying that his tattoos are offensive in stations or to other staff members. Burns further said that he told police officials that he will wear full sleeved shirts to hide his inking, but was told that police staff may catch a glimpse of the tattoos. Matthew had hoped to become a police constable with complete police powers, equipment and uniform.
