A Cincinnati police officer was dismissed from his duties for getting "pure evil" tattooed across his knuckles.
Eric Weyda was fired from the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) in April for insubordination and failure of good behavior, according to the police documents obtained by WLWT.
"Officer Weyda’s tattoos are a violation that is ongoing and permanent," one of the supervisors wrote. "Additionally, Officer Weyda’s tattoos do not promote the professional and neutral image of the Cincinnati Police Department and are injurious to the public trust."
The officer got the tattoos in December 2021, infringing a department policy that states officers are prohibited from getting tattoos on their face, neck, head, and hands.
During a disciplinary review, Weyda refused to get the tattoos removed, citing the cost of the procedure.
Beyond the policy infringement, the department also mentioned that the phrase he chose doesn't allow the police to have a healthy relationship with the public.
Records also display that Weyda was advised to work at an impound lot in the city in order to limit his public exposure after his tattoo was reported to senior staff members.
However, the officer tried to explain that his ink had a personal meaning and should not be perceived that he is describing himself as "pure evil" - but is meant to display the struggle between the two words.
"Weyda showed remorsefulness for obtaining the tattoo and acknowledged a lack of discretion since he obtained the tattoo in December 2021," police disciplinary documents read. "Furthermore, Officer Weyda stated, like all of his tattoos, his hand tattoo has a personal message to him, and the words ‘pure evil’ should not be observed as one message."
However, his superiors don't see it that way and said that the message of his tattoos has a "real possibility" to cause "extraordinary damage" to the police, both "locally and nationally".
Weyda is now trying to appeal the decision and also filed a grievance through the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) union.
The FOP responded in a statement: "The FOP represents all Cincinnati police officers when they participate in the grievance process outlined in our collective bargaining agreement. Every officer is entitled to a fair hearing and that’s what will take place here."
CPD records also reveal that the tattoo isn't the first incident involving Weyda. The officer is said to have had a mixed history with the department from receiving discipline multiple times for his absenteeism and using coarse language on calls with colleagues.
