# Italian police uniform and tattoo regulation dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-police-uniform-and-tattoo-regulation-dispute > Updated: 2026-09-11T14:40:29.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2. The legal debate regarding Italian police recruitment and uniform regulations intensified following conclusions from Tamara Ćapeta, the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Ćapeta addressed a case where a female candidate was disqualified due to a small flower tattoo on her calf, noting that Italian regulations prohibiting visible tattoos disproportionately affect women because their ceremonial uniforms require skirts and heels. Ćapeta argued that this combination of policies constitutes direct sex discrimination, as male candidates with similar tattoos would not face exclusion under trousers. She stated that justifications based on traditional values or police identity do not excuse the discriminatory impact under EU law. In response to these legal findings, the Italian police union Silp Cgil has formally requested the Department of Public Security to revise State Police uniform regulations. Led by Pietro Colapietro, the union is urging a reopening of discussions regarding the mandatory use of skirts for female officers to ensure alignment with modern principles of equality. The union emphasizes that clothing requirements should be based on dignity and decorum rather than gender. ## Claims - The Silp Cgil union claims that the ban on visible tattoos combined with the mandatory use of skirts for female officers is discriminatory. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Silp Cgil national general secretary Pietro Colapietro signed a request to the Department of Public Security to revise regulations. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Tamara Ćapeta, stated that the combination of tattoo bans and mandatory skirts constitutes sex-based discrimination. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The union is calling for an urgent reopening of discussions regarding the use of skirts for female personnel. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Silp Cgil challenges Italian police uniform rules as discriminatory The Silp Cgil union is challenging Italian police regulations, calling the ban on visible tattoos and mandatory skirts for female officers discriminatory. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/silp-cgil-challenges-italian-police-tattoo-and-skirt-regulations ### 2026-09-03: EU Advocate General: Police tattoo ban discriminates against women An EU Advocate General has concluded that Italy's police tattoo ban is discriminatory against women, as female uniform requirements make tattoos visible while male uniforms conceal them. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-advocate-general-police-tattoo-ban-discriminates-against-women --- Cite as: Italian police uniform and tattoo regulation dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-police-uniform-and-tattoo-regulation-dispute