Individuals with excessive tattoos and/or piercings are not allowed to join the police force, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said this evening.

Replying to a parliamentary question by PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami, Mr Abela said calls for employment stipulated that candidates with excessive body painting or piercings will not be considered. This is determined during a medical test all candidates have to sit for.

The same medical test was recently introduced for individuals who ask to be reinstated into the force. As such, applicants for reinstatement bearing excessing body painting can also be barred from rejoining the force.

Not all tattoos are banned, the minister said. Individuals with tattoos that are not visible under the uniform can also be allowed.

Any serving officers found to have excessive tattooing can face disciplinary proceedings.