This page uses extracted PDF text. Text can misread numbers, dates or table columns. Check the PDF before quoting or interpreting it. Redacted areas remain redacted.
Newport News Police Department
V. PROCEDURES
A. Authorization of Body Art
1. Authorization of body art is required, as follows:
a. Prospective Employees - The Recruiting Unit is responsible for ensuring that prospective
employees' body art is acceptable as set out in this policy. Employment packages will include the
information on the applicant’s body art, as set out in section III.F.
b. Body Art (New) - Employees are required to have authorization prior to the addition of any new
tattoos/body art to ensure compliance with section III. F. 1.
c. Visible Body Art (Existing prior to 08/19/2016 policy publication) – Employees are required to
have authorization prior to exposing any visible tattoos/body art.
2. Authorization Process
a. The employee will submit the following to their immediate supervisor:
1) Body Art Acknowledgement Form (NNPD Form #279E).
2) An accurate drawing and/or photograph.
3) The size of the body art.
4) Where on the body it will be located;
5) Whether body art will be visible or will not be visible when wearing pants and a short-sleeved
shirt; and
6) The meaning or representation of the body art; if applicable.
b. The employee's immediate supervisor will electronically submit the above information through the
chain of command to the Support Services Division commander.
c. The Chief of Police, or designee, will review the proposed body art and make a final determination,
consistent with this policy’s standards for prohibited body art. (NNPD Form #279 for prospective
employees, NNPD Form #279E for employees).
d. Failure to obtain authorization before receiving a new tattoo/body art or an applicant’s failure to
disclose an existing tattoo/body art may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
3. The final determination regarding the acceptability of a particular piece of body art will be made by the
Chief of Police, or designee. If not approved, employees and prospective employees must sign NNPD Form
#279 (prospective employees), or NNPD Form #279E (employees) acknowledging the policy, and
agreeing to cover said body art.
4. Mutilation of body parts, including (but not limited to) tongue bifurcation (splitting), and ear gauging
(enlarged holes in the lobe of the ear) is not authorized.
B. Accommodation
1. Religious Beliefs
Reasonable accommodations to this policy for individual employees will be made for the religious
beliefs of employees. To request accommodation or exception to this policy, the affected employee
may make a written request, through their chain of command, to their bureau commander. Requests
are evaluated and approved in consultation with City Human Resources.
2. Medical
a. Reasonable accommodation to this policy for individual employees will be made for both short
and long-term health needs, in consultation with Human Resources and following ADM-325
Injury On/Off Duty, FMLA and PAM-1202 Occupational Injury and Disease Policies, Procedures and
Guidelines. Examples include, but are not limited to, medical conditions that prevent shaving or
painful foot conditions.
ADM-230 - 5 of 6 – 05/11/2026Jump to an indexed page (6 of 6)