(March 23, 2006)--Texas Department of Public Safety troopers who have tattoos must cover them in a move intended to preserve the clean-cut image of the officers.

The Department of Public Safety this week began requiring the state's almost 2,700 uniformed troopers to hide any visible tattoos or brandings while on duty.

The state already mandates short hair, shiny shoes and no jewelry or piercings for troopers.

Long sleeves or skin-colored patches can help conceal body art.

DPS spokesman Tom Vinger says comments from the public about tattooed troopers played a role in the decision.

Sergeant Brian Hawthorne of the DPS Officers Association estimates fewer than ten percent of troopers have tattoos.

The Austin American-Statesman reports several police departments across the state, including Houston, already require officers to hide or even remove tattoos.

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