A graphic artist with a life goal of becoming a police officer is challenging the service’s body art policy, as he was unable to apply because of a Shuriken (ninja star) tattoo on his left hand.

Dillon Ramraj, of Cuchawan Trace, Debe, says a revised body art policy in 2021 and an earlier one in 2011, “stifles his expression and identity.”

“It makes him feel muzzled. Furthermore, it is frustrating and depressing because no one has given a reasonable explanation for this continuing ban on visible tattoos. “

Ramraj said he applied in 2019, but was told of the 2011 policy which completely prohibited recruits from having tattoos. This policy was replaced in 2020, permitting tattoos, but there were certain areas where they remained prohibited –the head, face, neck, ears, scalp or hands – and must not be visible beyond the collar or sleeve cuff of the service’s grey uniform.

That policy was revoked in 2021 and although it still permits tattoos, they must be covered by the uniform, makeup or temporary skin camouflage material. However, tattooing is still prohibited on the face, neck or hands.

The 2021 policy also says trainees cannot have tattoos, branding, body piercing, body art of modifications that are “offensive in nature and/or is gang related and/or gang affiliated.”

These policies apply to new recruits.

Ramraj’s lawsuit said he enquired on May 2022 about his eligibility to apply, but was told “the recruiting process still had as one of its rules, no visible tattoos.”

He was also told his was “still very much visible.”

“Even if the 2021 policy is viewed as permitting tattoos once they are covered…the claimant’s constitutional rights are nevertheless breached,” his constitutional claim says.

Presiding over the matter is Justice Frank Seepersad who said the filed motion was an “interesting one” which will give the court an opportunity to consider the TTPS’s tattoo policy.

And, “in particular, determine whether the policy, or any aspect thereof, is unreasonable and/or violates enshrined constitutional rights,” he said at a virtual hearing on Thursday.

He will rule on the constitutional claim on July 18.

Seepersad said “these reviews” were important, “especially as we still operate in an environment in which inherited colonial regulations and archaic policies and processes still form part of our operational framework and many of them really ought not to be factored into life in a modern democratic society.”

Ramraj said he has tried to have the tattoo removed. but cannot.

“In this regard, barring the claimant from joining the police service has breached and continues to breach his right to equality of treatment from a public authority in the exercise

of its functions and freedom of expression,” the lawsuit says.

“In a democratic society, it is dangerous for the Commissioner of Police to continue to implement and uphold policies which violate fundamental human rights,” it added.

The claim alleges the policies sought to prohibit anyone with visible tattoos from joining the police servi