Perception of McClearey as an officer was never an issue with SIUE Police Chief Richard Harrison. McClearey is upset by the decision and is planning on pursuing legal action. The police have a unique job and they have to have the right appearance. He didn't and there is no job with the SIUE police for him. Provost and Vice Chancellor Rudy Wilson said the issue is delicate and the emotional, physical and psychological impact of the tattoos on the campus community should be considered as well.
Tattoos are a growing part of the popular culture.
McClearey's father, Kevin McClearey, an associate dean of graduate studies at SIUE, is not aware of any university policy regarding tattoos. He has a tattoo of a dragon on left wrist and forearm. Denise McClearey, Kevin McClearey's wife and Sean McClearey's mother, also has tattoos. She is the solid waste coordinator of Madison County. Harrison said tattoos are against police policy, which is made at the command level by several officers.