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Last updated on Friday, November 30, 2018
(COLUMBUS) - The Columbus Police Department is loosening their dress code, with the hope of reversing their declining number of applicants.
Police say applicants ask about their tattoo policy all the time. They hope that by allowing them and adding other policy changes, more people will be encouraged to apply.
"Retaining officers and trying to hire police officers is a real challenge," said Lt. Matt Harris with the Department.
Lt. Harris says departments all over the country have started facing this same issue.
"Years ago, we would have hundreds of applicants show up for a testing process that we would test once a year," Harris said. "We've seen that fall to 40 or 50 applicants, and testing multiple times a year."
The department will now allow beards and visible tattoos, with the exception of tattoos on the face, neck or hands.
The department hopes to see the results. They also expanded their take-home car policy and approved a pay increase.
"We have officers that come from all walks of life, and I believe that over time opinions have changed about visible tattoos," Harris said.
"Around 25 percent of our officers are military veterans," Harris said. "And many of them have tattoos."
The Columbus Police Department expects to have four spots to fill by January, and hope the new policy will make the process easier.
"It comes down to the fewer number of people who want to be police officers," Harris said. "Departments across the state are competing for those quality applicants and of course we want to hire the best of the best here in Columbus."
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