The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reports that a new rule in Los Angeles requires firefighters to cover up all visible tattoos while on duty, whether responding to a call or simply sleeping in the station. Firefighters have complained about the rule since it went into effect May 1. Officials say they passed the rule to follow the lead of other public-safety agencies that have been cracking down on employees' body art.

The union has filed a grievance after one chief officer demanded that tattoos be covered even while sleeping. Most Los Angeles firefighters say that while they don't like the new rule, their biggest issues are with its enforcement in the firehouse.

"I don't mind wearing long sleeves when I'm on a call if there's a public perception issue," firefighter Anthony Temple told the paper. "My one big problem is the firehouse. I live there 24 hours a day, a minimum of 10 days a month. I feel like that's my house. It's where I live with my colleagues."

Officials say they considered allowing exposed tattoos in the station, but abandoned the idea in favor of a consistent policy. City councilman Dennis Zine, who heads the council's personnel committee, says he has no problems with the department's tattoo policy.