ES-1 Uniform Standards & Appearance

• This General Order establishes clear guidelines for Salem Police uniform requirements.
• It applies to officers, animal control, and civilian employees.
• The order was issued on 11.01.2022 and will be reviewed in 2027.

Policy

• A uniformed police officer's appearance reflects on the entire police department.
• Uniformity in appearance is important.
• The department policy is to properly identify the type of uniform and clothing to be worn by officers.
• The General Order identifies department uniforms and how they should be worn.
• Uniform items/accessories/equipment not included in the order require review by the Operations Captain and Chief of Police.

Procedure - Uniform of The Day

• Only the prescribed uniform of the day can be worn for jobs requiring uniformed officers, including outside work details.
• The Shift Commander declares the uniform of the day.
• Any changes from the basic police uniform are communicated to all duty personnel.

Procedure - Uniform Maintenance

• Uniforms and clothing worn on duty must be neat, clean, and well-pressed.
• Threadbare, worn, or faded items are prohibited.
• Officers in uniform must display the police badge and nameplate on the outermost garment as prescribed.

Procedure - Uniform Items

• Items listed in the policy are not necessarily part of the department-issued inventory.
• The policy serves as a guide to what is authorized for uniform wear.
• The Chief of Police is the final judge of uniform equipment suitability.

Uniform Descriptions - Class A

• Consists of dark blue dress pants with a 1/2” black stripe for Lieutenants and below, and a 1" stripe for Captains and above.
• Also includes an LAPD blue dress shirt and jacket, a black tie, and a Nantucket-style hat.
• Lieutenants and above wear rank insignia on their collar and shoulder.
• Officers wear a modified duty belt under the jacket.
• This uniform is for formal occasions authorized by the Chief.

Uniform Descriptions - Class B

• This uniform for sworn personnel includes dark blue pants.
• The uniform includes an LAPD blue shirt, black boots/shoes, a black tie, a black turtleneck/mock turtleneck, or a black crew neck t-shirt.
• A full duty belt is required.
• Officers can wear a Point Blank Tailored Armor Carrier Model TAC-05 in navy blue.
• Supervisors on desk duty/dispatchers can wear a modified duty belt (duty pistol, holster, spare ammo, handcuffs).
• On approved outside uniformed details, officers can wear a 5.11 Black/Yellow Hi-Vis Polo (or equivalent), dark blue pants, black boots/shoes, and a full duty belt.

Uniform Descriptions - Class C

• The Class C uniform typically includes black BDU pants and a Blauer or 5.11 Black/Yellow Hi-Vis Polo or BDU shirt.
• The uniform also includes black boots, a black baseball cap, and a modified duty belt.
• Worn for training sessions authorized by the Chief of Police.
• Class C uniform is worn during special assignments, severe weather, traffic control at construction details, and other circumstances authorized by the officer-in-charge or the Chief of Police.
• Use of Force instructors can wear a red three-button polo shirt during training.
• Other instructors can wear a black three-button detail polo shirt.
• Officers working road details can wear black BDU style shorts, black ankle socks, and all black sneakers.
• All officers must wear a traffic vest or an ANSI-rated polo, such as a Blauer Black/Yellow Hi-Vis Polo Shirt.
• Black shorts can be worn on specified non-road details, approved by the Chief of Police.

Uniform Descriptions - Class D

• The Class D uniform is for officers assigned to the Special Operations Unit (SOU).
• It generally includes black or OD Green BDUs.
• The uniform is worn only when the officer is engaged in an SOU operation/training session, or with authorization from the Chief.

Uniform Specifications

• Police badges must be displayed on the outermost garment over the left breast.
• Department identification must be issued to all police employees.
• Employees must carry identification at all times when on-duty.
• Department identification must consist of a current photo (not older than 5 years), personal data, and signature.
• Display of this identification shall be made upon request when an employee is on duty.
• Sworn personnel serving in an undercover assignment are exempt from this requirement.
• Police patches are affixed on both shoulders of all uniform shirts and outer wear (except rain gear), ½" below the shoulder seam and centered.
• A 3/4" x 3" metal nameplate with blue lettering is to be worn on the outermost garment (except rain gear).
• Plate style is brushed silver for Officers and brushed gold for Sergeants and above.
• The nameplate includes the employee's full last name and first name initial, centered on the right pocket flap and even with the top stitching.
• All sworn personnel will wear the LAPD blue police uniform shirt.
• Shirts consist of two pockets with flaps, epaulets, and pre-stitched badge holder.
• Long-sleeved shirts are worn with a black tie and metal tie bar indicating "Salem Police" with the New Hampshire state seal; or black, cotton or "Under Armour” blend material turtleneck, mock turtleneck (with optional SPD insignia), or black crew neck t-shirt.
• When wearing short-sleeved police shirts, black crew neck t-shirts (cotton or “Under Armour" blend material) will be the only color visible with the uniform shirt.
• Communications personnel will wear the black three-button detail type polo shirt (long or short sleeve), black pants, and black footwear.
• Dispatchers may also wear a black pullover or full-zip sweatshirt with a silver embroidered badge on the left, the employee's full last name, and their first name initial embroidered on the right.
• Lieutenants and above wear their rank insignia on each collar, following the line of the top of the collar.
• Optional police-related insignias may be worn above the right pocket flap and centered on the press line.
• Academy graduating class, Department Awards, FTO, SOU, and K-9 assignment insignias are authorized - pending current membership.
• Assignments that are no longer active can only be displayed on the Class A Uniform.
• An instructor pin/American flag bar may be worn on the left pocket flap centered and against the top stitching.
• A union affiliation pin is authorized for the right pocket flap below and to the right of the name plate.
• One diagonal longevity stripe for each four years of full-time police service may be worn on the left sleeve of long-sleeved police shirts and outer jackets.
• Other insignia indicating a particular specialty or training must be authorized by the Chief of Police or his designee.
• Pens and pencils carried in the left shirt pocket should reflect good taste for the police uniform.
• The standard headgear worn with all uniforms is the Nantucket Style Dress Hat, unless a baseball hat is allowed.
• The hat will have a hat badge indicating rank or the word "Police".
• Sergeants and above will use a gold hat badge.
• Black baseball hats are permitted at any time, clearly marked with "Salem Police" and a full color embroidered miniature badge over the brim.
• Lettering color must match metal badge color.

Footwear

• Uniform shoes shall be kept clean, shined and in good repair.
• Authorized footwear includes Black, smooth leather, combat-style boots - rising no higher than the standard high ankle style.
• Alternative to leather is Gore-Tex or similar material, but the heel and toe shall be made of leather.
• Smooth black leather low-rise or ankle shoes are authorized.
• Clarino finish is allowed.
• All black sneakers are permitted.
• Black or navy-blue socks must be worn whenever socks are visible.
• Pants must be LAPD blue, police-style with a minimum of four pockets but may have additional pockets.
• Communications personnel must wear black pants.
• Trouser belts must be black leather, plain or weave and have a silver, gold, or black buckle.
• Belt must be of sufficient width to fill at least 3/4 of the trouser belt loops.

Outerwear

• Authorized outerwear includes a Black or navy-blue wool garrison sweater with epaulets and reinforcing material.
• Sweaters are authorized for wear as part of the Class B uniform.
• V-neck or crew neck sweaters may be worn over the uniform shirt.
• The three-season jacket is dark blue Gore-Tex and waist cut, has an optional removable liner.
• Lieutenants and above wear their insignia of rank on the shoulder epaulets.
• Sergeant Chevrons (patch) will be located ½" below the department patch.
• This jacket is not authorized to be worn with BDUs.
• The light weight jacket is dark blue, nylon, waist cut police style, optional reversible to safety lime green and reflective tape.
• Rank insignia placement is the same as on the three-season jacket.
• Officers can also wear the 5.11 Tactical Fleece Color Black # 48038, with full-color patches on sleeves, an embroidered badge, and name.
• Leather jackets are four pockets, black leather, cut below the gun belt with an optional removable liner.
• They have full-color patches affixed to each shoulder and are worn exclusively with the winter police uniform.
• Rain gear is a 3/4 length or jacket style, black/lime green reversible raincoat; or rain suit consisting of jacket and pants; and plastic rain cover for Nantucket style hats.
• Traffic vests are required when working a road detail, directing traffic, or handling an incident in the roadway, unless wearing the authorized NHTSA APPROVED ANSI RATED Hi-Vis Polo Shirt.
• The traffic vest shall be lime green with reflective letters indicating "POLICE" on the front and back and shall meet the ANSI 107-1999 standard.
• BDUs consist of black BDU pants (shorts when authorized) and a black BDU shirt of heavy cotton or similar material.
• Cloth name tape or embroidered name will be sewn over the right pocket.
• All stitching including shoulder patches and embroidered Salem Police badge and name will be in silver or gold depending on rank.
• All leather gear worn on the utility belt will be of basket-weave configuration.
• Each duty belt must carry a safety holster, carriers for two ammunition magazines, a radio holder, an OC Spray case, and a taser holster.
• Authorized optional equipment will be stored in devices of the same basket weave design.
• Plain clothes officers should carry an authorized duty holster with safety strap, at least one ammo pouch and magazine, and handcuffs.
• Nylon web gear can be authorized only when working traffic assignments and must consist of a gun/holster, one ammo pouch and magazine, one set of handcuffs, and radio with holder.
• In times of severe inclement weather Officers are only authorized to wear snowmobile suits or similar clothing if their duty belt is outside of the clothing and immediately available.
• Molle Vests require match of the color of the uniform shirt.
• Approved are: the Oregon City front opening in navy blue, or black for K-9 Officers.
• The vest will bear Hero Pride identification patches consisting of one (1) large and one (1) small, embroidered with “POLICE”.

Appearance Specifications

• For male officers, hair will be neat, clean, and trimmed to present a well-groomed appearance.
• Hairstyles for all male and female department employees shall be conservative cuts so as to not detract from the uniform and/or image of the agency.
• Sideburns must be neatly trimmed and tapered and end in a clean shaven, horizontal line.
• Moustaches must be neatly trimmed and tapered, not extending beyond the upper lip.
• Goatees/Beards should not exceed ½ inch in length.
• Wigs may be worn on-duty for cosmetic reasons.
• Visible tattoos are permitted with some restrictions.
• Officers are prohibited from having tattoos on the neck, head, face, ears, hands, and fingers.
• K-9 Assignments consist of Black Condor/Tru Spec pants and shirt of heavy cotton or similar material with appropriate stitching.
• Motorcycle Unit Assignments shall consist of all appropriate safety equipment including DOT approved helmet, motorcycle boots, and white reflective straps when in regular uniform.
• Bicycle Unit Assignments shall consist of appropriate safety equipment to include an approved bicycle helmet.
• Plain Clothes Assignments during the time period where uniform short sleeved shirts are authorized, officers may wear short sleeved, open collar dress sports shirts and/or high quality three buttoned pullover shirts with minimal or no logo.
• Animal Control Officer assignments consists of the Tactical 5.11 BDU style pants in black and black boots.
• Non-Uniformed Staff member assignments shall wear similar clothing to the same standards outlined in Section IV, Paragraph I, Plain Clothes Assignments.
• Court Appearances/Department Business Assignments consists of all employees appearing in court shall wear either the Class B uniform or business suit/sports coat and tie with females wearing appropriate similar attire.
• General Health and Physical Fitness Assignments All sworn members of the Salem Police Department are required to maintain a level of fitness.
• All sworn personnel are assessed annually by their direct supervisor on their physical performance.
• At least semi-annually, at the seasonal uniform change, supervisory personnel will regularly inspect officer appearance.
• Officers will affix no personal or unauthorized medallions, patches, or other paraphernalia to the uniform not specifically authorized by the Chief of Police.
• Wearing of jewelry will be limited so as not to detract from the display of the uniform.
• Unauthorized, personally owned accessory equipment that will detract from the uniform appearance will not be worn to include, but not limited to, mirrored sunglasses.
• Under no circumstances will the Salem Police patch or badge be worn or otherwise displayed on a uniform or other clothing.
• The Chief of Police reserves the right to review/update uniform specifications and modify as needed.