THE IMPACT OF TATTOOS AS BODY MODIFICATIONS ON PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE POLICE: AN EYE-TRACKING STUDY

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of tattoos on police officers' perception by the general public. In recent years, body modifications, particularly tattoos, have gained increasing social acceptance, while hiring policies in the public sector, especially within law enforcement, remain inconsistent regarding the hiring of tattooed applicants. The investigation aimed to analyse the effects of tattoos on public trust in and the perception of the police. To capture the perception, both eye-tracking data and behavioral data were collected. The eye-tracking analysis revealed that tattoos attracted significantly more visual attention than other elements of police equipment, such as the emblem or firearm. Furthermore, behavioral data showed a correlation between the fixation duration on tattoos and the participants' attitudes towards the police: individuals with a negative attitude towards the police fixated on the tattoos significantly longer. The sample consisted of 114 participants, aged 18 to 46 years. Approximately 37% of the participants were tattooed themselves. In addition to eye-tracking data, the study also examined the participants' attitudes toward the police, as well as their personal experiences with police encounters. The results suggest that tattoos on police officers do not have a significant influence on public perception, but they interact with the observer's attitude towards the police. These findings could further stimulate the discussion on introducing uniform agency standards for hiring tattooed candidates within law enforcement.