Published: September 25, 2009 10:42 am      

Tattoos lead to suspension of police officers

Board of public works and safety upholds police chief’s decision

Two Logansport police officers have been suspended for violating the police chief’s order regarding tattoos.

The board of public works and safety upheld the suspensions this week in response to appeals filed by the officers, Jason Shideler and Carlos Reynoso.

During Wednesday’s meeting, both Shideler and Reynoso presented letters explaining why they did not feel Chief A.J. Rozzi’s decision was fair.

Shideler, who received a one-day suspension, told the board that during a mandatory meeting for the police department in May the chief stated he did not want officers to get any more tattoos that would be visible while wearing an LPD uniform until a formal policy addressing the issue could be put in place.

Shideler, an eight-year LPD veteran, said he took the statement as a request rather than an order, so in July he got a large tattoo on his forearm.

“I have never disobeyed a direct order given to me by a commanding officer,” Shideler said.

Shideler said he thought he would be ordered to wear long sleeves.

“I was really shocked to see that I was recommended for a one-day suspension without pay,” he said.

Andy Duncan, general counsel for state Fraternal Order of Police, spoke on Shideler’s behalf during the meeting.

“I guess what it all comes down to is whether or not there really was a verbal order in place not to get any more tattoos that are visible while wearing the Logansport PD uniform,” he said.

Mayor Mike Fincher, a board member, said Shideler acknowledged in his letter that he was aware of the chief’s request.

“That tells me that Officer Shideler understood the chief to say there are no more tattoos going to be allowed,” Fincher said, describing Shideler’s defense as “splitting hairs.”

Shideler referenced the Bill of Rights, saying he was entitled to freedom of speech and expression.

Fincher retorted that actions have consequences.

“I think that is the most abused statement that you just made in this whole country is that I have the right to do anything,” Fincher said. “You do have the right to do whatever you want to. You also have the consequences to be suffered from it if you do those things you are asked not to do or know you shouldn’t do.”

The mayor said he supported Rozzi’s decision, and his fellow board members, Deputy Mayor Linda Klinck and retired Fire Chief Joe Casalini, took similar positions. They voted 3-0 to uphold the suspension.

Reynoso got his tattoo in late July, and Rozzi handed down a two-day suspension, noting that Reynoso had been handed a one-day suspension for insubordination in March.

“Being that he had a violation of the same offense in such a short period of time, I made the decision to give him two days instead of one,” Rozzi said.

The board also upheld that suspension.

Duncan asked that the policy be applied equally throughout the department.

Rozzi promised the policy would be applied across the board, no matter on when the officers obtained the tattoos. He expects the written regulation to be in place yet this year once the policies of other departments have been reviewed.

After the meeting, Rozzi said he was implementing the policy as a matter of public perception. He wants his officers to maintain a professional appearance, he said, and visible tattoos run counter to that image.

• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at (574) 732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com