Broward County Sheriff's Policy Manual PDF

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 3.1 DRESS CODE: 3.1.1 General: All employees are expected to maintain a neat, clean, and professional image. Any disputes between the employee and supervisor related to this section will be forwarded to the employee’s executive director fo...

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 3.1 DRESS CODE: 3.1.1 General: All employees are expected to maintain a neat, clean, and professional image. Any disputes between the employee and supervisor related to this section will be forwarded to the employee’s executive director for guidance. If a resolution cannot be reached at the command level, the Human Resources director will be consulted to provide a final decision in the matter. Nothing contained in this section will violate federal, state or Broward County laws or ordinances. A. It will be the duty of all employees to keep their clothes and uniforms clean and pressed. B. Uniformed employees will regularly examine and clean their uniform accessories, leather, weapons, handcuffs, and shoes to ensure their gear is in a serviceable condition. They will wear and carry only the uniform items and equipment authorized by BSO. C Employees on light-duty or restricted assignment (with the exception of Fire Rescue) will conform to the grooming standards of their regular duty assignment. D Supervisors will be responsible for ensuring their employees comply with the dress code requirements. 3.1.2 Uniform Committee: A. A Uniform Committee was established to maintain a professional appearance and control the various uniforms. B. Suggested changes to uniforms must be submitted in writing to the Uniform Committee Chairperson via the employee’s chain of command. C. The Uniform Committee will review all suggested changes to uniforms and requests to wear other authorized uniforms. D. The Uniform Committee will meet when necessary and consists of representatives from the following: 1. Chair – Department of Administration Reviewed: 09/29/2020 Revised: 07/19/2021 Rescinds: 09/25/2020 Effective: 08/13/2021 3.1 Page 1 of 7  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 2. Department of Law Enforcement 3 Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services 4. Department of Detention and Community Programs 5. Central Supply 6. Purchasing Division 7. Bargaining unit representatives 8. ICJS/Training Division E. The Uniform Committee's recommendations will be sent to the Undersheriff or designee for review and approval or disapproval. 3.1.3 Grooming: A. Hair: Hair shall be worn neatly and, in a style, and color that promotes a professional image. The following hairstyles are not permitted: haircuts with unusual shapes or designs; shaved areas on the scalp such as letters, words, numbers, designs; lines; tails; or decorative ornaments such as glitter, paint, hairnets and excessive beads. Braids, twists, locks, or cornrows must be no greater than ½ inch wide. Hair, if colored, dyed, or bleached, shall be of a natural color or shade. Unnatural hair coloring such as gold, pink, blue, green or neon colors is prohibited. 1. Male Uniformed Employees: a. Hair will be neat, clean, trimmed, and not extend more than three inches from the scalp. Hair will not cover more than one inch of the ear from the top and any part of the collar. Beads, ornaments, and ponytails are not permitted. b. Sideburns will not extend beyond the lowest part of the ear and not flare at the base. Sideburns will not connect with mustaches. Reviewed: 09/29/2020 Revised: 07/19/2021 Rescinds: 09/25/2020 Effective: 08/13/2021 3.1 Page 2 of 7  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL c. Neatly trimmed mustaches may be worn but will not extend more than 1/2" beyond the corners of the mouth or extend over the upper lip. d. Beards and goatees shall be neatly trimmed and shall not exceed one quarter inch in length. No employee shall wear a beard cut in the shape of letters, numbers, designs, lines, or artwork. e. Command may make exceptions for special assignments. All employees who may be required to wear respiratory protection as a condition of their employment shall not have beards or other facial hair which negates the effectiveness of the respirator/self-contained breathing apparatus in accordance with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.134. 2. Female Uniformed Employees: a. Hair must be neatly and professionally styled in a manner that promotes safety and does not impede the use of headgear or other equipment. Hair which extends below the shoulders must be tied back. Employees assigned to field activities and pre-planned or high- risk operations will secure hair close to the head, so hair does not extend beyond the shoulders (bun, short ponytail). b. Hair accessories, e.g., barrettes, clips, etc., must blend with the hair color. 3. Non-uniformed Employees: a. Hair will be kept neatly groomed. b. Neatly trimmed beards and mustaches will be allowed. B. Fingernails 1. For uniformed employees and employees who have direct contact with patients and/or inmates, fingernails shall not extend beyond the fingertip for males or exceed more than ¼ inch from the end of the finger for females. Reviewed: 09/29/2020 Revised: 07/19/2021 Rescinds: 09/25/2020 Effective: 08/13/2021 3.1 Page 3 of 7  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 2. For non-uniformed employees, fingernails will be kept neat and trim and at a length that does not interfere with the proper performance of his/her job duties. Nail color with professional shades are permitted. C. Perfumes, Colognes, Scented Products: Due to sensitivities and/or allergic reactions, perfumes, colognes, and/or scented products may be prohibited in work locations if necessary, to accommodate employees or clients. Supervisors will address issues regarding sensitivity and/or allergic reactions to fragrances on a case-by-case basis. 3.1.4 Jewelry: Jewelry which can be used to disable an employee will not be worn. The following restrictions will apply: A. Jewelry that does not project a positive business image such as numerous and large rings or bulky bracelets will not be worn by on-duty employees. B. Jewelry worn as neckwear by uniformed employees will not be visible to the public. C. Employees will not be reimbursed for any loss or damage to their jewelry, unless such reimbursement is contractually covered in a collective bargaining agreement. 3.1.5 Body Ornamentation/Body Piercings/Body Alterations/Tattoos: The purpose of this policy is to maintain safety standards and promote a professional image. Body ornamentation includes, but is not limited to piercings, dental ornamentation, body alteration, and tattoos. For the purpose of this policy, body ornamentation is considered visible when capable of being seen while wearing a standard short-sleeved shirt and appropriate business attire-length pants/skirt while standing in an upright position and includes being visible through clothing. Non-visible body ornamentation may be prohibited if it interferes with the performance of the employee’s duties, impairs the safe and effective operation of weapons or equipment, poses a health or safety hazard to the wearer or others, or interferes with the proper wear of special or protective clothing or equipment. A. Piercings: Jewelry, objects, ornamentation or articles that are attached, affixed, or displayed to or through a body part, including the ear, nose tongue, eyebrow, lip, etc. 1. Body piercings: Employees are prohibited from wearing visible piercings, other than the normal piercing of the earlobe. Reviewed: 09/29/2020 Revised: 07/19/2021 Rescinds: 09/25/2020 Effective: 08/13/2021 3.1 Page 4 of 7  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 2. Earrings: Uniformed female employees are authorized to wear earrings unless the wear poses a hazard or inhibits the ability to safely perform assigned tasks. Given the ability to be worn safely, earrings must meet the following criteria: a. Earrings may be a round or square stud clip-on or post-type earrings in gold, silver, white pearl or diamond. Earrings will be otherwise unadorned and may have a plain, shiny or brushed matte finish. No colored earrings will be worn. b. Earrings may not exceed six millimeters (mm) or a quarter inch in diameter. c. Earrings must fit snugly against the ear and may not extend below the earlobe. d. Only one earring per ear, positioned center on the earlobe, will be worn. When earrings are worn in both ears, they must be a matched pair. B. Dental Ornamentation: Decorative veneers or caps including ornamentation that is metallic (gold, platinum, silver) and/or has jewels, letters, designs, etc. This does not include natural-colored caps, veneers, or metallic-colored fillings used for commonly accepted medical or dental purposes. 1. Dental ornamentation is not permitted. 2. Existing employees seeking a grandfather provision for permanent dental ornamentation must submit a request via memo with supporting documentation from their dentist attesting that removal of ornamentation would require extensive work and restoration. The memo must be submitted via the chain of command to the employee’s executive director or, for unresolved disputes, the Human Resources (HR) director, who will give final approval. The grandfather provision approval paperwork will be maintained in the employee’s personnel file. C. Body Alteration, Modification, or Mutilation: Intentional and extreme altering, modifying, or mutilating of any body part in order to achieve a visible, physical effect that disfigures, deforms, or otherwise detracts from a professional image. Reviewed: 09/29/2020 Revised: 07/19/2021 Rescinds: 09/25/2020 Effective: 08/13/2021 3.1 Page 5 of 7  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 1. Employees are prohibited from having visible body alteration, modification, or mutilation. This does not refer to commonly accepted cosmetic medical procedures, such as a “facelift.” 2. Examples of mutilation include, but are not limited to: A split or forked tongue; foreign objects inserted under the skin to create a design or pattern; enlarged or stretched out holes in ears (other than a normal piercing); intentional scarring on neck, face, or scalp; or intentional burns creating a design or pattern. D. Tattoos: Permanent marks, brands, designs, or art made with pigments inserted through the skin’s top layer. 1. Tattoos that are prejudicial to a professional image or are of a nature that tends to bring discredit upon the Broward Sheriff’s Office are prohibited. Examples include: a. Tattoos that are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations, or activities which advocate discrimination, hate, or violence based on race, color, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin. b. Tattoos that are offensive and tend to shock the moral sense because of their vulgar, explicit, or disgusting nature. c. Tattoos that advocate a sexist philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. d. Tattoos that advocate a racist philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. e. Tattoos that are commonly associated with gang affiliations. f. Tattoos that advocate illegal activity (e.g. drug use). g. Tattoos anywhere on the head, face, and neck above the shirt collar in uniform or civilian attire. Reviewed: 09/29/2020 Revised: 07/19/2021 Rescinds: 09/25/2020 Effective: 08/13/2021 3.1 Page 6 of 7  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL h. Excessive tattoos will not be exposed or visible while in uniform. Excessive is defined as any tattoos that exceed 1/4 of the exposed body part. 2. Employees with tattoos not meeting an acceptable professional image will be required to maintain complete coverage of the using current uniform items (e.g. long-sleeved shirt, pants), commercially available tattoo covers, or a black long-sleeve form-fitting undershirt. Employees can also have the tattoo removed. 3. Visible tattoos that are compliant with policy and approved by a supervisor must be photographed and submitted to Human Resources for placement in the employee’s file. 4. Potential future employees must disclose (in writing) the existence of any visible tattoos and complete the removal of any prohibited tattoos prior to employment. Approval of tattoos must be granted by the Human Resource director. 5. This policy does not prohibit cosmetic tattooing to correct medical conditions requiring treatment or legitimate cosmetic alteration. For the purpose of this policy, cosmetic tattooing refers to medical or surgical procedures conducted by licensed, qualified medical personnel. 6. Employees who obtain new unapproved tattoos not meeting the standards of this policy are required to maintain complete coverage of the tattoos or initiate removal at their own expense upon 90-day written notification by the Human Resources director. Employees failing to cover, remove or alter unauthorized tattoos in a timely manner will be subject to disciplinary action. 3.1.6 Exemption: Deputies may adapt non-conventional modes of dress and grooming if authorized by their supervisor for the special needs of their assignment. Reviewed: 09/29/2020 Revised: 07/19/2021 Rescinds: 09/25/2020 Effective: 08/13/2021 3.1 Page 7 of 7