[Thread] Why does this policeman have an SS tattoo?

I cannot comment on this officer's beliefs or characterize his actions as a police officer. I can provide context as I was involved in a larger discussion of the SS rune tattoo by Marine Scout Snipers 8 years ago. https://twitter.com/RestlessMonarch/status/1268654907558510593
Here is the article I was interviewed for by @AdamWeinstein after the photo below became public in 2012. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/02/exclusive-marines-nazi-flag-whistleblower-talks/
Exclusive: Marines’ Nazi-Flag Whistleblower Comes Forward

An Iraq vet, now a Holocaust expert, explains why he exposed Marines' use of an SS flag.

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/02/exclusive-marines-nazi-flag-whistleblower-talks/
And another piece...

(Note: on the now defunct website selling the flag it was clearly labeled as an SS one) https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/02/marine-corps-insists-marines-are-too-dumb-know-nazi-flag/331967/
Marine Corps Insists Marines Are Too Dumb to Know This Is a Nazi Flag

Marine Corps officials say the Marines who posed with this Nazi SS flag did so because they had no idea those distinct S's were Nazi symbols, they just thought it was a neat font they could use to...

https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/02/marine-corps-insists-marines-are-too-dumb-know-nazi-flag/331967/
And here is a USMC Scout Sniper with SS runes on his rifle.

I believe the Marine Corps has since cracked down on the use of SS symbols and this police officer likely got the tattoo while still authorized...but still.

https://gawker.com/5883828/us-marines-sorry-for-posing-with-nazi-flag-nazi-rifle
And here is a USMC Scout Sniper with SS runes on his rifle.I believe the Marine Corps has since cracked down on the use of SS symbols and this police officer likely got the tattoo while still authorized...but still. https://gawker.com/5883828/us-marines-sorry-for-posing-with-nazi-flag-nazi-rifle
And here is a USMC Scout Sniper with SS runes on his rifle.I believe the Marine Corps has since cracked down on the use of SS symbols and this police officer likely got the tattoo while still authorized...but still. https://gawker.com/5883828/us-marines-sorry-for-posing-with-nazi-flag-nazi-rifle
For some more context on the use of the runes by Marines...

https://mcgazette.blogspot.com/2012/02/ss-snowflakes-and-supervision.html
So, back to the officer above. It seems to me deeply problematic to have this SS tattoo (not to mention the brass knuckles) for someone who is obligated to serve and protect. Regardless of what one WANTS the message to be, I would suggest what we see is different.
And to that point: An unfortunate @starsandstripes article which highlighted the SS tattoo uncritically (months after the news broke) and even characterized the snipers positively for their "precision assassin-style shooting missions." https://www.stripes.com/i-tell-people-what-he-did-for-us-1.178243?fbclid=IwAR2VXWu1gYM87gDHuFGW0Vj0LdKisVGGAB_TX22zE9si6MhQU5dzTH2u5Vs
‘I tell people … what he did for us’

Nat Small’s four years in the U.S. Marine Corps gave him life experience beyond that of most 23-year-old men.

https://www.stripes.com/i-tell-people-what-he-did-for-us-1.178243?fbclid=IwAR2VXWu1gYM87gDHuFGW0Vj0LdKisVGGAB_TX22zE9si6MhQU5dzTH2u5Vs
This is in line with the excuses made at the time. I would be curious how the @wallawallapd, which used this article in a now-deleted tweet by way of explanation views this tattoo and its message to civilians.
Perhaps some MORE context would be helpful. First, the SS rune phenomenon is a recent development, not a time-honored tradition. At best, a terribly misplaced admiration for a supposed "elite" unit. But I'm not going to re-litigate that here.

https://mcgazette.blogspot.com/2012/02/ss-snowflakes-and-supervision.html
Perhaps some MORE context would be helpful. First, the SS rune phenomenon is a recent development, not a time-honored tradition. At best, a terribly misplaced admiration for a supposed "elite" unit. But I'm not going to re-litigate that here. https://mcgazette.blogspot.com/2012/02/ss-snowflakes-and-supervision.html
Perhaps some MORE context would be helpful. First, the SS rune phenomenon is a recent development, not a time-honored tradition. At best, a terribly misplaced admiration for a supposed "elite" unit. But I'm not going to re-litigate that here. https://mcgazette.blogspot.com/2012/02/ss-snowflakes-and-supervision.html
I think now more than ever all of us, but particularly our police, need to be cognizant of the messages they send.

This person joined the force with the tattoo- no questions asked.

They have served for at least five years- no questions asked.

I think we should ask why?
People have the right to express themselves in tattoos, but those expressions have consequences. The military bars new recruits who have racist or otherwise offensive tattoos and forbids them on current soldiers. Image from Army regulations.

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2015/04/10/it-s-official-army-issues-new-tattoo-rules/
Perhaps police departments should do a similar audit? The murder of #GeorgeFloyd appears to have ushered in an era in which the police will (rightly) be held to account for systemic racism and brutality as an institution. Officers with tattoos like this impede that effort. #BLM
Note: this is not an isolated incident. https://twitter.com/chadloder/status/1268014134605438976?s=20
https://twitter.com/chadloder/status/1268203432331972608?s=20
At least some discussion has gone on regarding the display of tattoos. https://twitter.com/chadloder/status/1268207163224125441?s=20
https://archive.thinkprogress.org/suspended-virginia-capitol-police-officer-tattoos-white-supremacist-symbols-d7c69be28bd7/
Virginia Capitol Police officer suspended for alleged tattoos of white supremacist symbols

Sgt. Rob Stamm's tattoos and Facebook likes reportedly revealed a deep affinity for far-right causes.

https://archive.thinkprogress.org/suspended-virginia-capitol-police-officer-tattoos-white-supremacist-symbols-d7c69be28bd7/
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/albertsamaha/they-cant-fire-you-for-whats-in-your-head
A Cop With A Tattoo He Swears Isn’t A “Nazi Tattoo” Says A Lot About Police Free Speech

What beliefs disqualify someone from working as a cop? A Philadelphia officer with a tattoo strikingly similar to a Nazi symbol shows how free speech is being put to the test in police departments.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/albertsamaha/they-cant-fire-you-for-whats-in-your-head
I will close by reiterating that I have no knowledge of the beliefs or ideologies of the officer in question nor am I (in the absence of such evidence) suggesting he is racist.

I can state he wears an SS rune tattoo which should be a problem for anyone also wearing a badge.
I, for one, would love to hear from the @wallawallapd about their policies regarding tattoos such as this and community relations.
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