By PAULENE POPARAD

Police officers employed by the Chesterton and Burns Harbor police departments can have visible tattoos as long as they’re not of an inappropriate nature, but employees of the Porter Police Department will have to cover up any tattoos in the future.

After extended discussion last month the Porter Police Commission voted 2-1 Tuesday adopting a new policy stating no tattoos may be visible while on duty. Ones smaller than 2 inches by 2 inches should be covered with a skin-colored bandage. Larger tattoos must be concealed by a long-sleeve shirt. If an officer is on special assignment, the rule may be rescinded.

Commission members Linda Hodges and Karen Pisowicz voted for the ban; Bill Donley voted no. He said he has a tattoo that shows he was in the military. “People who have tattoos like that should not be penalized.”

After the meeting Hodges said, “A police officer, as little kids tell me, presents something special and I think they should set an example.” That’s why regulations ban long hair and excessive jewelry, she noted. The women said having a tattoo doesn’t mean a person is bad, but it’s not the image they believe Porter police should project.

After the meeting Pisowicz said she thought the new regulation applies just to police officers but Porter Police Chief James Spanier confirmed the actual wording applies to “all employees." Pisowicz said since police dispatchers deal with the public, too, the extended ban is reasonable. Spanier also said, “I think if we tried to differentiate (between employees) we may have a problem.”

He said to his knowledge no one on the department currently has a tattoo that would be affected by the cover-up rule, and that tattoos haven’t been a problem.

Chesterton Police Chief George Nelson said there’s been discussion in law-enforcement trade magazines whether or not tattoos should be visible; some officers opt for tattoos for past military service, a police badge or K9 logo. Some Chesterton officers do have tattoos, said Nelson.

He also said the matter needs to be looked at on a case-by-case basis; while a Marine insignia isn’t offensive, an anti-police depiction or skull and crossbones would be.

“I don’t have anything against tattoos, but if the (Chesterton) Police Commission or Town Council would come to me and say (adopt a regulation), I would,” said Nelson.

Burns Harbor Police Chief Jerry Price was unavailable, but police clerk Maryann Carpenter said that department has no regulation banning visible tattoos.

Porter joins partnership

Also Tuesday, the Porter Police Commission approved adopting a policy to participate in the Northern Porter County Traffic Safety Partnership formed last year to receive grants through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. Chesterton, Ogden Dunes and Burns Harbor currently are members.

Chesterton Lt. David Lohse is the local program coordinator and explained its benefits to Porter commission members. He said the grants fund dedicated officers patrolling for specific reasons like seeking violators of DUI, seatbelt and aggressive driving laws, the latter evidenced by speeding, following too closely and unsafe lane change.

“The additional manpower out there, you can’t do on a normal basis. You’re concentrating on doing one thing and one thing only,” said Lohse. Over the next 12 months at least four Operation Pull Over blitzes are planned including educational presentations and media events in addition to patrols.

When asked if he supported joining the partnership, Porter chief Spanier said, “Our name is suspiciously absent. Definitely. I think it’s accomplishing stuff we want to accomplish and how better?”

In other business, Donley asked Spanier if there is a speed limit for traveling down Porter alleys. The chief said he believes 5 mph, yet Donley said he’s seen children on mopeds going 25 to 30 mph there. Hodges asked if mopeds can be driven on public streets.

Spanier said among other restrictions, the minimum age is 15 with the rider wearing a helmet and eye protection for mopeds that can’t be more than 50cc, 2 HP or designed to go over 25 mph. It was suggested that an educational program be conducted for children and parents regarding such laws.

Spanier thanked Signature Graphics for helping design the logo on Porter police cars that recently won third place in a patrol-car design contest.

August stats given

Porter police activity for August remained seasonally busy showing 640 calls resulting in one felony arrest and 21 for misdemeanors. Officers made 136 traffic stops, handed out 49 citations, issued 55 written warnings and gave 46 verbal warnings. There were three each operating while intoxicated and theft from auto, two leaving the scene, and one each never obtained a driver’s license and vehicle theft. There were eight VIN checks and seven lockouts.

Other calls were 11 for animal control; seven for theft; five for harassment; four each burglary and criminal mischief; three each warrant service and fraud; two each attempted suicide, disturbance, domestic battery intimidation, property damage and trespass; and one each battery to police officer, disorderly conduct, fleeing, invasion of privacy, resisting law enforcement and sex offense.

There was one possession of marijuana. Assists to other departments totaled 88; citizen assists 30; four each off-duty assist, runaway and suspicious circumstance; three each assist to citizens and found property; two each civil matter and commitment; and one assist to other jurisdiction.

There were 32 business checks made, three residence alarms and two for business. Of 58 calls to emergency 911, nine were misdials. Other calls logged totaled 220.

Porter police vehicles traveled 13,366 miles last month, of that 12,251 miles were driven on-duty and 1,115 miles (8 percent) off-duty.

Posted 9/18/2008