Sect. 07-03 - Uniform and Equipment Regulations.pdf

DEPARTMENT MANUAL SECTION # 7-03 UNIFORM and EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS Date Issued Revision Date NYSLEAS # Page 1 of 5 June, 2002...

DEPARTMENT MANUAL SECTION # 7-03 UNIFORM and EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS Date Issued Revision Date NYSLEAS # Page 1 of 5 June, 2002 January, 2023 14.1, 41.3, 47.3 I. PURPOSE To establish rules and procedures in wearing the Department uniforms and equipment in order to present a professional image to the public. II. POLICY To provide effective and efficient service, Members should immediately be recognized by the public with his/her uniform. Members shall comply with the uniform rules and procedures set forth on this policy. III. PROCEDURE A. General Regulations 1. Uniform equipment shall be kept in good repair. 2. Members are accountable for all uniform clothing and equipment, Department issued or otherwise. 3. Uniform clothing shall be cleaned, well pressed, in good condition, and buttoned. 4. Members are not required to wear their uniform hats while performing patrol duties unless otherwise instructed by the District/Unit Commanding Officer. 5. Members have the option to wear the 8-point hat, baseball cap, or winter hat while performing patrol duties unless otherwise instructed by the District/Unit Commanding Officer. 6. The baseball cap or winter knit hat shall only have the “MTAPD” lettering at the front of the hat. Displaying of pins, decals, shield number, or symbols on any part of the hat is prohibited. 7. The baseball cap shall be worn with the bill facing forward and squarely on the head. DEPARTMENT MANUAL UNIFORM and EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS SECTION # 7-03 PAGE 2 of 5 8. The winter knit hat shall be worn with the “MTAPD” lettering facing forward. 9. Members shall wear their 8-point hat while wearing Class A Dress Uniform. The hat shall be worn squarely on the head with the visor directly over the nose. 10. The uniform sweater shall be worn tucked into the uniform trousers. 11. The undershirt shall not be visible while in uniform. 12. The turtleneck or mock turtleneck may be worn under the uniform long sleeve shirt without a tie or may be worn under the uniform sweater. It shall not be worn without the uniform long sleeved shirt or the uniform sweater. 13. The BDU pants may not be worn with the Class A uniform. 14. Members shall not wear any combination of uniform clothing and civilian attire while on duty or off duty. 15. Members shall not attend public functions in uniform (unless in the course of official duty), without authorization from a Region Chief through the chain of command. 16. Members in uniform shall not wear jewelry or other items not specifically authorized by this Manual. 17. Members shall wear a timekeeping device. Timekeeping devices may not denote membership or affiliation with any fraternal, political, or religious society. Watchbands must be a conservative color, such as navy blue, black, brown, yellow metal, white metal, or similar color. 18. Members may wear a ring provided it does not denote membership or affiliation with any fraternal, political, or religious organization. Rings must be generally smooth and not likely to catch on other objects. Rings with jagged edges, raised stones, etc., are not permitted. 19. Tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, eyeglass cases, and similar items shall not be visible while in uniform. 20. Members shall carry their MTA Police identification card at all times while on-duty. The police identification card shall be carried while off-duty when carrying a firearm. DEPARTMENT MANUAL UNIFORM and EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS SECTION # 7-03 PAGE 3 of 5 21. The uniform shield and/or identification card shall not be worn while participating in a rally, demonstration, or other public assemblage except as authorized by the Department. 22. The shield and nameplate shall be worn on the outermost garment at all times when wearing the Class A, B, or C uniform with the exception of the rain coat. 23. Nylon, “web”, or ballistic style utility belts or accessories are prohibited. Except for specialized units. Refer to Section 7-05 – Firearms (page 5, sub. B) for exceptions. 24. When wearing the Class A Uniform, the Duty Belt shall not be worn and the firearm shall not be visible. 25. Members shall not alter uniforms in any manner except that which is necessary for proper fit or as authorized by this Manual. 26. Court Appearances: a. Uniformed Members shall appear in court in the prescribed uniform of the day. b. Plainclothes Members shall appear in court dressed in business attire (Class D Uniform, refer to Section 7-02— “Uniform Classifications”). 27. Three or four belt keepers shall be worn to secure the duty belt firmly over the garrison belt. 28. The protective body armor shall be worn under the uniform shirt or a tailored type armor carrier may be worn over the uniform shirt provided it is identical in color and styled as the uniform shirt. 29. Only awards and items authorized by the Department may be displayed on the uniform. 30. The wearing of authorized breast bars is optional. 31. Breast bars shall be worn above the shield and arranged in descending order beginning with the highest award at the top. The order of award precedence will be as follows: a. United States Flag b. Medal of Honor c. Meritorious Police Duty d. Medal of Merit e. Lifesaver f. Excellent Police Duty DEPARTMENT MANUAL UNIFORM and EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS SECTION # 7-03 PAGE 4 of 5 g. Unit Citation h. Military Service i. Special Event Award j. Field Training Officer k. NYS Accreditation l. Firearm Qualifications 32. Numbers shall be placed on medals and breast bars to indicate multiple awards of the same class. 33. Memorandum books shall be carried in a plain black leather cover. Decals of any type shall not be affixed to such leather cover. 34. Member shall carry a handcuff key when carrying handcuffs. 35. Members shall carry a flashlight approved by a Department Training Unit Supervisor when performing patrol duties. 36. Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray Exchange a. Old Canisters: i. The manufacturer’s warranty for Department issued canisters of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray is five years from the year of manufacture. The year of manufacture is listed on each OC canister. ii. Members are directed that on or after November 1st, but no later than December 1st of the year of warranty expiration, they shall contact the MTAPD Training Unit to arrange an exchange of the old canister for a new one. At the time of such exchange, a MTA Police Department Universal Receipt Form (Form 70) indicating the serial number must be completed. b. Depleted Canisters: i. Members with low or depleted OC shall contact the MTAPD Training Unit to arrange an exchange and shall complete a MTA Police Department Universal Receipt Form (Form 70) DEPARTMENT MANUAL UNIFORM and EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS SECTION # 7-03 PAGE 5 of 5 B. High Visibility Clothing 1. Members assigned to any regularly scheduled or prolonged traffic control posts, train accident scenes, service disruptions, or police action along a railroad right of way are required to wear a reflective traffic vest during daylight and after dark hours. 2. During times of traffic control, which are short in duration, Members are not required to wear reflective traffic vests unless the assignment will be for a prolonged period of time or the Member’s safety becomes a factor. 3. It will be mandatory for all Members who are issued the reflective traffic vest to have them available for use when on duty. C. Mourning Band A black, elastic band, ½-inch wide, worn on the shield covering the New York State seal, but leaving the shield number and/or rank designation visible. The Black Mourning Band is a nationally recognized symbol to memorialize the death of fellow Law Enforcement Officers. 1. Mourning Bands shall be worn as follows: a. Death of an active Member i. Line of Duty—from the time of death until 2400 hours on the tenth (10th) day after death. ii. Non-Line of Duty—from the time of death until 2400 hours on day of funeral. b. Death of a Retired Members—while attending funeral services. c. Death of Other Law Enforcement Agency Members—from death until 2400 hours on day of funeral. Related Manual Sections: Section 2-01—Rules of Conduct Section 2-04—Personal Hygiene and Appearance Section 7-01—Uniform Specifications and Insignia of Rank Section 7-02—Uniform Classifications Section 7-04—Protective Body Armor Section 7-05—Firearms