Tattoo policy change boosts recruit numbers for Victoria Police

One of the country’s biggest employers has made a major change to its tattoo policy as staff continue to protest workforce shortages.

Victorian cops are now allowed tattoos on their hands and the back of their necks.

The changes came into effect earlier this year, but the amendment has now drawn in 86 applicants previously knocked back because of their ink.

“Public sentiment suggests people have no issue with non-offensive tattoos on police … it shows they’re part of the community they serve,” a spokesperson said.

“We also don’t want to exclude suitable people from applying to join our ranks merely because of innocuous body art.”

Victoria Police has more than 1000 vacancies. Picture: NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

Vacancies in Victoria Police tipped over 1000 this month. Patrol cars across the city have protest messages scrawled on windows at the moment, decrying the force’s pay and work conditions.

As at the start of October, there were 1029 unfilled positions statewide, up 200 from June. But there were 1600 prospective members in the recruitment process.

Police vehicles across Victoria have been displaying protest messages for months. Picture: NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

More than 400 of those prospective members were awaiting a psych assessment, and 420 needed a final medical assessment, a spokesperson said at the time.

There were also more than 680 officers off duty on WorkCover.

The new tattoo guidelines had an immediate boost to police numbers. Last year 135 people who applied or inquired about joining as an officer or a protective services officer were knocked back because of their tattoos, information from Victoria Police shows.

Front-of-neck tattoos will still exclude someone from joining Victoria Police. Picture: iStock

Since the rule change, 86 people have renewed their applications.

Officers will not be allowed tattoos on the front of their necks. Tats cannot be in front of an imaginary line running from their ear to their shoulder.

Previously tattoos on hands and the back of necks were only allowed if they were discreet and able to be covered.

Face, head and tattoos on the front of necks are still not allowed. Victoria Police employs more than 21,700 people.