Police officers must not look like criminals

This is one of the two reasons why I can’t logically fault the Police Service for their stance on visible tattoos and height restrictions. Visible tattoos, studs or earrings in both ears (for men), thick gold chains around the neck, fancy hairstyles and the like may be considered avant garde or fashionable, but are considered as unprofessional by many employers and are always associated with social deviants in conservative nations like ours.

Those displays do not command respect, but ridicule, even fear (example: teardrops are associated with people that the wearer has killed. Imagine a Police Officer with a few approaching a rape victim. Another example: the gun earrings). Not only that, but they make individuals easily identifiable in uniform, singling them out for revenge actions by the criminal elements that feel slighted (don’t they all?). No, the security services should not look like the criminals they’re fighting; they should look like professionals to emulate. And while it may be true that short people can defend themselves well, it is equally as true - and more proactive - that taller, bulky people have an intimidating appearance, thus demanding respect psychologically and dispelling thoughts of physical retaliation without saying a word.

To be honest, I have seen many officers that I told myself I could take down in a fight, because they’re much shorter than me, much too slim or far too bulky around the torso area. In short, they’re visibly physically unfit and not intimidating, giving me ideas of either beating them or out-running them (but that would cause unarmed me to get shot, since they probably won’t be able to catch me). This coming from an upstanding citizen. Just imagine what passes through a miscreant’s mind?

The second reason that I won’t fault the Police Service for their recruitment criteria is that, as a prospective employee, all applicants are supposed to research the requirements for hiring as well as salaries and job expectations before applying. This is common practice for any job, and failure to do so shows a lack of foresight, research skills and desire for the job. Are those the traits we want in our Defence Force? I don’t. Not in any job. Let this be a learning experience for us all, to think thrice before making permanent alterations to our physical appearance. Let us also be reminded that not every job is suited for everybody, regardless of smarts or desire.

SHABBA DE LEON

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