Is is acceptable to have a tattoo on your upper forearm in the
California Highway Patrol? Would it be looked down on? What is the
facial hair requirment?

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Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 13 Jun 2004 05:00 PDT

This is just to let you - and other researchers - know, that I emailed
the authorities with this question, in order to get an official
answer.

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Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 13 Jun 2004 10:20 PDT

In the meantime, could you please say how big is the tattoo?

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 13 Jun 2004 10:44 PDT

Hello dablinkguy-ga,

I have found the language for the CHP personal grooming policy, which
contains specific guidelines as to what is or is not acceptable in
terms of facial hair, length of hair, etc.

The policy does not specifically address tattoos, although it
certainly suggests that -- given the high standards of personal
appearance expected of the CHP officers -- visible tatoos would not be
encouraged.  On the other hand, there is nothing to suggest that an
existing tattoo would be an obstacle to joining the force.

Would you like me to provide relevant excerpts from the guidelines as
an answer to your question -- along with the link to the full
document?

If you're in a rush, this might be your best bet.  But if time is not
of the essence, you might be better off waiting to see if
politicalguru, or one of the other researchers, obtains a fuller
explanation from the CHP in reponse to their queries.

Let me know what you think.

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by dablinkguy-ga on 13 Jun 2004 14:25 PDT

This tattoo would be about two or three inches on the upper forearm.

Hi dablinkguy,

I?m glad to see you are still interested in pursuing a law 
enforcement career. Having researched one of your previous questions, 
I?ll jump in on this one too.

I phoned the California Highway Patrol Cadet Hiring Unit in Sacramento,
and spoke with Officer Leon. 

Phone number : (916-375-2180)

I asked him about a tattoo on your upper forearm, and he said instantly,
?No problem.?  It would not disqualify you.

If you consider that former military men are actively encouraged to 
join the CHP, and that many of them have tattoos, I doubt that you 
would be in a small minority having one. And considering that, would 
not be looked down upon.

Now for the facial hair question. Here are the relevant lines from the 
CHP ?What You Need to Know about Cadet Training?  page:

Grooming Standards
·Males
Hair - Short (Not Shaved)
Clean Shaven 

·Females
Hair - Short or off the collar
NO MAKE-UP
Fingernails - Short, no colored polish 

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:_uPF7BP_MuYJ:www.chp.ca.gov/html/academycadet.html+california+highway+patrol+%2B+grooming+policy&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Officer Leon says things are really more lenient than that: 
while beards are not allowed, mustaches are OK.

So the tattoo won?t be an obstacle, and it?s easy enough to shave and 
get a haircut.

I hope this answers your question. If not, don?t hesitate to hit the 
?Clarify Answer? button before you rate my work. 

Good luck with your career plans!
cath-ga
Google Answers Researcher