Georgia sheriff department allowing tattoos, beards to help with recruitment

BIBB COUNTY, Ga. — While police and sheriff departments across the state may deem facial hair and tattoos as unprofessional, one local department is making some big changes.

Bibb County Sheriff David Davis told WGXA-TV that department will now allow men and women to show their tattoos while on duty and have beards.

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This move comes after Davis says he was in the hospital battling cancer at Emory.

“Pretty much the only thing I had time to do was watch TV and watch the news. And up there just about every law enforcement officer I saw in the news, they had some sort of had facial hair and had a beard,” Davis told WGXA-TV. “So, I said if they’re doing it in the metro areas, up in Atlanta then it’s something we could look at.”

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Davis says he has tested the changes a few times and if the tattoos aren’t offensive and the facial hair is kept up and professional, he will allow it.

The sheriff hopes with the added policy change that more people will be encouraged to join the force.

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