For many in the community, it's a distraction.

Police detective Ed Soares has flames tattooed "all the way down his
left arm to his wrist, enveloping the image of a gallant St. Michael
casting the devil into hell," according to reporter Banks Albach.

Police Chief Ron Davis states he's seeing more and more tattoos, also
according to Albach who related Davis' comment, "It's a new
phenomenon. For many in the community, it's a distraction. It takes
away from an officer's professional appearance," in a recent article
appearing on the web site www.InsideBayArea.com/.

Unfortunately for Soares, a police chief trumps a police detective and
so St. Michael will remain masked during on-duty hours from now until
a new police chief takes over or the current chief changes his mind.

"Soares said his tattoo shows people he isn't a robot. He added that
he has never received a complaint, and that the tattoo actually breaks
the ice when he's in the field," according to the article.

See: http://www.insidebayarea.com/oakland...ews/ci_6562990

I can identify with Soares so far as the ice breaker aspect of bodyart
is concerned. On several occasions I've had people approach me to ask
about my earlobes. Recently I've been wearing plugs rather than
tunnels, but the large glass backings often attracts people's
attention.

Twice I've been asked, "Is that an African thing?" since getting my
earlobes punched. Although I initially had them punched to get rid of
a scar on my left earlobe, I'd say the main reason I had them punched
was simply because I liked the look. I can remember seeing a kid at an
ice cream parlor who had, maybe, 8 g tunnels and thinking it was
pretty odd, but after moving to Carlisle and hanging out at the local
tattoo shop, the look really caught my attention.

And, although not African art, I do recall reading about a tribe in
South America who had a ceremony called something like "the opening of
the ears" where young tribesmen would get their ears punched with a
sharp stick to demonstrate that they were willing to listen.

Like Detective Soares, I've found that bodyart can really help break
the ice. The detective is not protesting the chief's decision,
however. Regardless I hope that Police Chief Davis will be willing to
listen to any officer who does have a difference of opinion on the
subject.

--
Curt

On Aug 7, 8:40 pm, Curt <curtja...@gmail.com> wrote:
--snipped--

Why didn't you post the whole article?

New-found understanding of copyrights?

Kavin

Kavin Taylor wrote:

> Why didn't you post the whole article?

It's more fun this way.

> New-found understanding of copyrights?

Not especially. Why?

--
Curt

On Aug 7, 9:51 pm, Curt <curtja...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Kavin Taylor wrote:
KT> > Why didn't you post the whole article?
>
KYLE> It's more fun this way.
>
KT> > New-found understanding of copyrights?
>
KYLE> Not especially. Why?

Telling choice of words.

Learn it in that lit. class?

Kavin