Soldier has his application to join the police rejected because he has a ‘lest we forget’ Anzac neck tattoo
- Ryan Banting refused entry into WA police force because of patriotic tattoo
- The family man spent a total of 10 years in Australian Defence Force
- Small ‘lest we forget’ neck tattoo is the centre of his controversy
- WA Police: ‘body art should not be offensive, culturally insensitive’
A former serviceman has called for change after being rejected by the Western Australian police force for a small neck tattoo commemorating fallen soldiers.
Ryan Banting, who has a partner and three young children, said he had never considered that his neck piece would shatter his chances of joining the police force.
Banting, who served a total of 10 years in the Australian Defence Force, has a small ‘Lest We Forget’ tattoo on the right side of his neck in respect of Anzacs who lost their lives during the First World War.
Banting (pictured) has a small ‘Lest We Forget’ tattoo on the right side of his neck in respect of the Anzacs
‘If you go to the (WA Police) website to apply there’s nothing on there that states if you have tattoos, don’t apply,’ he told The West Australian.
‘It’s only small black letters. I’ve also got a tattoo on each forearm with the names of my daughter and my son and their birth dates and there’s nothing offensive about them,’ said the family man who claims he’s wanted to join the force for years.
The proud veteran said he would refuse to get the small tattoo removed because of the significant personal reasons behind it.
Ryan Banting who has a partner and three young children, said he had never considered his neck piece would shatter his opportunities with the police force
‘I’ve also got a tattoo on each forearm with the names of my daughter and my son and their birth dates and there’s nothing offensive about them,’ he said.
Adding to his frustration, Banting said it was difficult applying in the first place.
Banting has been left dumbfounded by the WA Police’s justification of his rejection.
He said that the letter of rejection he received from the WA Police stated that they were unable to provide him with any further assistance or advice.
Banting (centre left), who served a total of 10-years in the Australian Defence Force, has a small ‘Lest We Forget’ tattoo on the right side of his neck in respect of the Anzacs
A WA Police spokesman claims the code of conduct required all employees to ‘maintain a professional image.’
According to the WA Police, ‘applicants will not be considered for employment if they have a tattoo that is in a prohibited form or location — including their face, neck and hands.
‘Broadly, body art should not be offensive, culturally insensitive or otherwise inappropriate, and should not detract from the professional image of the employee.
‘The policy includes existing employees and reinforces their responsibility to ensure their current or future visible body art complies with the policy.’
Banting has told Daily Mail that he is disappointed with the decision but wishes to move forward with his life and ‘lay low.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the WA Police Force for comment.
Banting has been left dumbfounded by the WA Police’s justification of his rejection