Flash Your Tattoo » police

I Smell Corruption

Tattoosue — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:04:49 +0000

Although living in New Mexico has it’s upside, corruption and failure in the judicial system are hard to ignore.
A recent example involved a local tattoo parlor and it’s proprietors. The two men charged in the attack on the owners of this tattoo parlor are politically connected and one of the brothers was even employed as a policeman at the time.

To make matters worse, the two brothers charged also have a brother currently running for sheriff. Just by chance, there was another police officer present getting a tattoo! The charges included battery, assault and criminal damage for the mess they made of the shop.
This week the judge through the case out due to “lost” evidence. Missing evidence included handwritten written statements, a photo lineup and a statement by the officer that happened to be getting a tattoo. Now all sorts of discrepancies are popping up. The State Police spokesman said they never received the evidence in the first place although several witnesses said they gave written statements. The whole case reeks of corruption. In addition, the judge dismissed the case with prejudice which means charges cannot be refilled. This doesn’t make any sense to me. It seems like with all the witnesses present at the time and the involvement by both local and state police, this case should be a no brainer. And why not gather up the witnesses to testify at trial?

Meanwhile, the owners of the shop were attacked, their shop was trashed, and they’ve incurred legal fees in the mean time. And the bad guys will walk scot free. Life ain’t fair.

Officers Told to Cover Up

Tattoosue — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:55:40 +0000

I was surprised to see that this story is coming out of liberal minded state like Colorado who has recently become an example of a state responsibly handling the business of medical marijuana.

Police officers located in Aurora Colorado have recently been mandated to either get their tattoos removed or keep them covered up while on duty. Officers affected by this new regulation are not too happy and feel that if anything, their tattoos were an icebreaker and conversation starter with the citizens of Aurora. The officers have been given the option of buying long sleeved uniforms, makeup kits or a pair of slide-on half sleeves.

According to the authorities that came up with this brainstorm, the regulation was put in place because some people find them offensive and distracting. Although, these same people state that NO documented complaints have ever been made regarding the Aurora Police Department. The powers that be also said the tattoos were intimidating! The department wants to portray more of a professional appearance to the public.Current officers with the department feel that the department is barking up the wrong tree. The tattoos make them more approachable. Officers feel that it helps to open doors with gang members and other young people they are trying to communicate with. They feel the department could be focusing on other more important topics like fitness standards. These days when tattoos are accepted in so many circles, it’s hard to understand anyone going in the opposite direction and adapting policies like this.

Since tattoo removal can be very costly, most officers are covering up for now. Sounds like a step backwards to me. I’d be more likely to start a conversation with an officer sporting some ink than one that wasn’t.

Tattoo Sting

Susan — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:59:00 +0000

In my great state of New Mexico, ATF agents posed as artists at a tattoo shop (along with an actual tattoo artist) to conduct a 9 month operation targeting such crimes as drugs and firearms. Patrons were given other options to pay for the tattoos besides cash. The agents also bought meth, cocaine, weed and weapons. They called the sting operation – creative and successful. Considering the crime rate we have here in Albuquerque, this was a good idea.