The Brea Police Department in California is conducting a new pilot program that allows officers to show their tattoos while on the job or in uniform.

The program began about 10 months ago to “improve officer comfort in hot weather, as a recruitment/retention incentive, and to ‘humanize’ the badge,” the Police Department stated on Instagram.

While tattoos are more common in the workplace nowadays, Brea police have been more conservative with requiring staff to cover up their ink. However, that’s changed in recent months after the department loosened up its policy.

“For people who are interested in tattoos, it creates an opportunity for conversation with the officers, even if they’re not on a call,” Brea police Lieutenant Chris Haddad told ABC 7. “Some of our officers have some pretty amazing artwork on their arms.”

The current pilot program requires tattoos to be approved by a uniform committee. There are also times that staff are required to cover up, like at funerals.

“We also don’t allow our officers to display their tattoos at court, city council meetings and preplanned protests,” Haddad said.

The department also realizes that times have changed and body art is a bigger part of today’s culture.

“This generation of officers that we have working for us, especially here at the Brea Police Department, are so professional,” Haddad said. “They’re thoughtful, they’re empathic, and they work so hard. I wouldn’t allow them displaying tattoos to color your opinion of them.”

The tattoo pilot program will conclude at the end of August, but so far, the department has had very positive reviews from the community and police officers.