Army Wife Helps Change Manchester, NH Police Tattoo Policy
MANCHESTER, NH (CBS) - Zach Ferguson flashed a father's pride as he played with his toddler son Liam this afternoon.
But the 36-year-old auto mechanic is also proud of his eight year stint in the military -- which included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan -- along with some tattoos. One on his right forearm says "US Army" -- while another on his left forearm says "Freedom."
"People said when I was young "Don't get tattoos," recalls Ferguson, "because you'll never get hired."
The veteran never placed much stock in that warning -- until he looked into becoming a cop in Manchester, New Hampshire. Just 18 months ago, the Manchester Police Department went to a stricter tattoo policy. It says new officers can't have any visible tattoos when they wear short-sleeves or shorts -- period.
Frustrated that her husband's pride in his military service now disqualifies him from wearing a blue uniform, Annie Kelly wrote a letter to the Union Leader newspaper a few months back -- which was then transformed into an op-ed piece.
"I just thought it was kind of unfair," says Kelly.
"My husband spent many years as an active combat soldier in combat zones," she wrote in the paper. "Who would be a better candidate for the police academy? Tattoos in the military are not only common, but almost a rite of passage. Our soldiers are proud of their service and want to show what they have done and where they have been. And why shouldn't they be? Without them, none of us would be able to lead the lives that we do."
Among those who read the article -- time and time again -- was incoming Police Chief Nick Willard. "When I read it," he says, "it instantly hit a chord with me."
Indeed, the chief already suspected his department's tattoo policy was making it tougher to recruit the very skill-set he values most -- because so many veterans have them.
"Military service is the number one qualifier I look for in a potential police officer," says Chief Willard. "Even more so than a college degree."
So Chief Willard reversed course, allowing applicants with visible tattoos to enter the police pipeline -- subject to review of their body art to make sure it isn't racist, gang-related, or otherwise offensive.
"I believe it's a good change," says Ferguson. "Not everyone who has tattoos is a bad person. But that's what the policy made me feel like -- kind of."
"I'm both shocked and impressed," says wife Annie, "that Zach will now have the same chance as anyone else. He'll be judged just on his skills and abilities."
Turns out, several current Manchester cops have their forearms tattooed with a portrait of officer Michael Briggs, who was shot dead in the line of duty back in 2006.
Chief Willard says he doesn't see much difference between those -- and the tattoos of vets honoring their military service and their country.
"We're going to be more inclusive," Chief Willard says, "and I hope it attracts more military veterans."
And so, thanks to a wife's essay, and a chief who took it to heart -- little Liam might just have a cop for a Daddy someday.
Zach Ferguson will use his new found "Freedom" to apply for a spot on the force come the end of the summer.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports:
