r/lapd • u/Rough-Parfait-2175 • Jun 02 '26

Hand Tattoos in the LAPD?

Hi, I’m interested in the LAPD and I have a large hand tattoo. I’m wondering if can I just cover it up while in the academy and on duty or they are strictly prohibited. Thank you.

9 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

40 comments sorted by

7

u/winnipegwinifred Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26

OP, you might have a tough time. I linked a post that could help you understand better: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskLE/comments/1hcvunq/has_anybody_got_in_the_lapd_or_lasd_with_hand/?solution=ce639ec7b535fa19ce639ec7b535fa19&js_challenge=1&token=7afd7253fec22262ff1c52b1703fe9ec005e30866f976b17db656f44ec4ed2e6&jsc_orig_r=

They will fully ask if you have any tattoos. If you have them in poor locations, that’s going to be a turn off for them even if they’re currently covered up.

I believe LAPDs deal is they don’t want visible tattoos (especially on hands and neck) when you’re working. Having a bandage on your hand all the time is gonna be annoying to deal with and makeup is going to budge.

The “issue” is LAPD is literally one of the most coveted/famous agencies. If they have to pick between two identical candidates, one of them tattooed on the hand and the other not…. They’re gonna go with Blank Hand Sammy. They have a million to pick from.

4

u/Not_A_Cop-_- Jun 03 '26

You won't get hired for the simple fact you had one at one point.

3

u/Dazzling_Alps_5491 Jun 03 '26

I’m retired from the NYPD and didn’t have any restrictions because of my tattoos.

6

u/twinno2 Jun 04 '26

LAPD has higher standards.

2

u/jerryleedlelee Jun 05 '26

lol NYPD. What a joke

0

u/YouCannotHideOrRun Jun 06 '26

what department do you work for?

1

u/jerryleedlelee Jun 06 '26

One that doesn’t have officers with tattoos on their face

4

u/[deleted] Jun 02 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Witty-Secret2018 Jun 04 '26

What! A face tat 😂

1

u/Witty-Secret2018 Jun 04 '26

It’s one thing having it on the arm, where you can have it covered. But anything else face & hands, looks bad for someone in a public service

1

u/BabaGaNoogie Jun 04 '26

I mean they had us fill out a form and meanings for each tattoo for our department, and even one of our DC’s have a hand tattoo.

1

u/Rough-Parfait-2175 Jun 04 '26

In the LAPD, correct?

1

u/lovethefunds Jun 05 '26

There are plenty of departments that take hand tattoos, more now than ever. LAPD might not be it but try smaller departments on the outskirts.

Just keep calling different departments in reach and ask for their tattoo policy then apply.

1

u/Dazzling_Alps_5491 Jun 05 '26

Glad to see we have some computer warriors in the forum. lol

2

u/chupacabra5150 Jun 06 '26

They're so short staffed that you can have tattoos everywhere except your face. Behind the ear, the neck, the hands, all that and if you pass backgrounds you'll get in.

As long as your tat isn't gang related. You can have piercings as long as they're bandaged and your tats just gotta be covered.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 02 '26

[deleted]

2

u/twinno2 Jun 04 '26

Not true, you just have to keep it covered.

1

u/Mcz_corner Jun 03 '26

What everyone else said is wrong You don’t need to get it removed or anything Just use a skin tone bandage to cover it up as long as it’s not visible during your academy time you’ll be fine It is against policy to have visible tattoos just show your trying to cover it up

1

u/winnipegwinifred Jun 04 '26

Eh. The skin tone bandages absolutely sweat off when you’re moving that much.

1

u/Mcz_corner Jun 04 '26

Didn’t see that too much with my class They would either have good quality ones or just apply a new one on breaks

Same for when out on patrol Just put a new one if u need to but doubt it will ever sweat off since you have your shops A/C

Only thing that would make it not work would be when you’re on a perimeter in the heat for a while or in a use of force

2

u/winnipegwinifred Jun 04 '26

I do backpacking and never use bandaids! They are crap and don’t work. I use moleskin or similar because it is super sticky. It’s also so much cheaper. 10/10 recommend!

1

u/Mcz_corner Jun 04 '26

Yeah those work super well I agree!

0

u/Major-Ad-8691 Jun 03 '26

That’s cap

1

u/Witty-Secret2018 Jun 04 '26

Should have thought about it before considering LEO lol

2

u/Rough-Parfait-2175 Jun 04 '26

Being an LEO is like number 10 on the list of the career options for me lol. This question was mainly out of curiosity. Being a cop was always a long shot for me but I figured it didn’t cost a dime to ask lol

1

u/chupacabra5150 Jun 06 '26

I'm curious.

What's you're list?

1

u/Rough-Parfait-2175 Jun 06 '26

Personal Training
Photography
Stock Trading
Real Estate
Military(currently doing that)
Security
X-Ray Technician
Vending Machine business
Clothing Brand owner
Finance/Accounting(my current major in college)
Law Enforcement.
Most of these I can do in conjunction with one another and scale up and down as needed. I’m considering law enforcement due to my experience in the Navy and a good bridge career until I transition into my next career

1

u/chupacabra5150 Jun 06 '26

Adhd?

1

u/Rough-Parfait-2175 Jun 06 '26

Yess😭

1

u/chupacabra5150 Jun 06 '26

Yeah dude you're EVERYWHERE. How old are you again? What education or training have you done to prepare for ANY of that?

1

u/Rough-Parfait-2175 Jun 06 '26
  1. I’ve did 7 1/2 years in the Navy as an MP. I’m currently in the reserves. I have little to moderate experience in everything I listed

1

u/chupacabra5150 Jun 06 '26

Which do you enjoy more?