Boca Raton Police Services Department Appearance of Personnel PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 26.200 APPEARANCE OF PERSONNEL Revised: January 26, 2023 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this departmental standards directive is to establish a dress and appearance code for all employees that will promote a positive image of the...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 26.200 APPEARANCE OF PERSONNEL Revised: January 26, 2023 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this departmental standards directive is to establish a dress and appearance code for all employees that will promote a positive image of the Department and its employees. II. POLICY: It is the policy of the Department to provide an effective dress and appearance policy that contributes to a positive public image, establishes a consistent identity for customers, and sets the tone for the workplace. The Department considers proper dress, personal appearance, and personal cleanliness a part of each employee's job. Clothing shall be appropriate and maintained in good repair, clean, and pressed. Guidelines and specific rules cannot provide for every situation, but the directives included in this policy should help establish clear standards for employee appearance. III. DEFINITIONS: Body Ornamentation: Any type of modification, alteration, or decoration of the human body for nonmedical reasons, including but not limited to, body piercing, stretching/gauging, branding, and dental ornamentation. Tattoo: Marking made by inserting indelible ink into the layers of skin to change the pigment for decorative or other artistic, aesthetic, or non-medical reasons. IV. PROCEDURE: A. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (“LEO”) AND CIVILIAN APPEARANCE GUIDELINES: 1. GENERAL APPEARANCE STANDARDS: a. An employee shall present a neat and clean appearance, unless his/her assignment renders the requirement impractical. b. Any deviation from this policy shall be at the discretion of the chief of police or his/her designee. Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 1 of 16 c. Uniformed employees shall wear the entire regulation uniform. Wearing a partial uniform will be prohibited, except during emergency situations or under supervisory order. d. Uniforms will only be worn when on duty or when traveling to or from work. e. Employees shall not wear long sleeve undershirts or long sleeve t-shirts underneath Department-issued short sleeve shirts. f. An LEO shall wear the Class B Uniform unless his/her duty assignment allows or requires another uniform, or he/she are directed by his/her supervisor to wear another uniform. g. Employees not required to wear uniforms shall wear suitable business attire. Business attire is not restricted to a shirt and tie. Plain collared shirts (polo type) and slacks (no jeans) may be worn while performing normal office duties or investigations at the discretion of the employee’s bureau commander or his/her designee. h. The Investigative Services Bureau commander will notify bureau employees when they are required to wear a shirt and tie as his/her regular duty attire. i. LEOs wearing plain clothes (ISB, court, etc.) shall only display a badge when on duty or when traveling to or from work. LEOs authorized to wear appropriate plain clothes and who are displaying a badge shall carry the following gear: i. Department issued picture ID ii. Issued firearm and holster iii. Radio and/or cellular telephone (Black or silver in color. Devices of other colors may be concealed in a flat or matte black case.) iv. Handcuffs j. LEOs who initiate a consensual encounter or an investigatory stop (including FIs, traffic stops, etc.) from a Department vehicle shall, at a minimum, wear the following items: Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 i. Issued pistol and holster or approved backup firearm ii. Handcuffs iii. Issued outer vest iv. Operational portable police radio Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 2 of 16 k. Cellular telephone hands-free accessories shall not be worn when the employee is in public and on duty. l. Employees shall not appear in court in uniform unless the appearance or testimony is a result of the employee’s performance of official duties. m. Employees attending traffic court, or a deposition may wear either a Class A or B Uniform or dress shoes, dress slacks, and a shirt with a collar. n. Employees attending court hearings shall wear either a Class A or B Uniform or the following attire: i. Male employees shall wear a suit and tie ii. Female employees shall wear an appropriate business suit o. See Departmental Standards Directive 01.310 Use of Authorized Firearms and Ammunition for direction on the carrying of firearms in Palm Beach County Courtrooms. 2. BODY ORNAMENTATION: a. While on duty, body ornamentation shall not be visible or exposed, except female employees are permitted to wear no more than two post or stud earrings per ear. b. While on duty in uniform or business attire, male employees shall not wear body ornamentation that the public can observe. 3. TATTOOS: a. While on duty, employees are not permitted to have any tattoos visible. b. Notwithstanding the above, employees hired before August 17, 2011, who have existing tattoos are permitted to have such existing tattoos visible. Tattoos added after August 17, 2011, shall not be visible. 4. EYEWEAR: a. Eyewear, including sunglasses, prescription glasses, etc., and retaining straps must be conservative. b. Acceptable frame colors are gold, silver, black and brown. Retaining straps must be black in color. 5. FINGERNAILS: a. Fingernails shall be trimmed and clean, consistent with a professional appearance. Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 3 of 16 6. HAIR LENGTH/FACIAL HAIR: a. Male uniformed employees shall wear their hair in a neat and trim manner, no longer than the center of the ear and the top of the collar. Extreme hairstyles (e.g., mohawks, fauxhawks, cornrows or ponytails) are not permitted. b. Sideburns will not extend below the earlobe and will at no point be more than 1 inch wide. Sideburns will not exceed ¼ inch in bulk, will not flare, and will be trimmed horizontally across the bottom. c. Male employees may wear moustaches, except for handlebar and Fu Manchu moustaches, and moustaches are to be neat, above the top lip line of the mouth, and not extended beyond the corners of the mouth. d. LEOs and uniformed civilian employees shall not wear beards unless they obtain a waiver directed by a physician and approved by human resources. Under this waiver, the employee will maintain a full beard that does not exceed ¼ inch in length and will not wear a goatee or other customized beard creations while on-duty. e. Non-uniformed employees may wear a beard, and it must be maintained in a neatly trimmed manner, shaved on the neck area, and extend no long than one (1) inch from the chin. f. Female uniformed employees shall wear their hair in a neat and clean manner. The hair length of female uniformed employees shall be at their own discretion, but female uniformed employees should be aware of the potential danger of a person grabbing long hair. g. Hair color and styles must be of a natural hair color and in keeping with the professional image of the Department. h. Employees may be excused from these requirements when assigned to specialized functions. 7. JEWELRY: a. Employees shall not wear jewelry that detracts from his/her professional appearance. 8. MOURNING BANDS: a. The chief of police or his/her designee will decide when mourning bands shall be worn. b. Employees shall shroud his/her badges with mourning bands upon receipt of a written directive from the chief of police or his/her designee. Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 4 of 16 9. CIVILIAN DRESS DOWN DAY: a. Pay day Fridays are considered "dress down" or "casual” days. On this day, appropriate casual wear is acceptable, including denim jeans. b. Employees shall exercise common sense and dress in an appropriate and tasteful manner. They should not wear anything too tight, too loose, too sloppy, or too short. 10. EXCEPTIONS: a. The chief of police or his/her designee may make exceptions to this policy. Exceptions shall be considered regarding specific job duties and responsibilities. Employees may be allowed to "dress down" with supervisory approval, when working on temporary projects or assignments, e.g., moving of an office. B. UNIFORMS: 1. GENERAL UNIFORM GUIDELINES: a. Employees may wear only black undershirts if the undershirt is visible from under the duty shirt. Undershirt sleeves will not be visible. b. Footwear is worn with plain black socks except when wearing shorts when white socks are worn with sneakers. Motorcycle, Marine and K-9 officers will wear appropriate issued footgear. c. No additional badges, awards, or paraphernalia will be worn or displayed on the uniform without the authorization of the chief of police. d. Only the Department badge or seal, name tag, and patches shall be worn on the issued uniform jacket. The outer vest may be worn over the issued black jacket when wearing the Class B uniform. e. Supervisors will issue orders referencing the wearing of the full (360°) brim hat, soft hat, helmet, gas mask or other equipment as necessary. f. cap: When authorized, the following rules apply to the wearing of the issued i. The cap must be worn squarely on top of the head with the visor forward and parallel to the ground ii. The visor may be straight or slightly rounded; no angles or sharp folds are permitted iii. Non-uniformed LEOs may only wear the uniform cap when wearing the issued outer vest Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 5 of 16 iv. No attachments may be affixed, or alterations made to the cap. g. The issued black knit cap with silver BRPD lettering shall be worn with the lettering facing forward. h. Motorcycle officers shall wear helmets at all times when operating his/her motorcycle. i. Polo shirts and shorts of a professional appearance are acceptable off duty (10-118) attire if the employee is driving a department vehicle to a physical training or workout session. Refer to Departmental Standards Directive 41.237 Department Vehicles and Vehicle Operations for complete attire requirements. j. When driving a department vehicle off-duty, an LEO shall have his/her external vests readily available should he/she need to take immediate police action. 2. BODY ARMOR: a. The Department, in accordance with the Agreement between the City of Boca Raton and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35, requires all law enforcement uniform employees covered by the contract to wear his/her ballistic vest on-duty and while working all off-duty details. All command staff (captain and above), all LEOs wearing uniforms other than the Class B Uniform, and all law enforcement plainclothes officers must have his/her body armor readily available. 14.10 b. The chief of police or his/her designee shall have the discretion to amend, suspend, or change any or all the aforementioned requirements. c. Employees shall wear a Department-issued protective ballistic vest when engaging in pre-planned, high-risk situations, e.g., planned warrant execution, drug raids, SWAT operations, etc. 14.10 d. The Department shall ensure that employees’ body armor has not exceeded manufacturer recommended timeframes for use. 14.10 e. The Department issues Level III ballistic rifle plates to supplement the standard issued body armor. f. An LEO can wear his/her assigned ballistic rifle plates in his/her ballistic vest carrier any time while on duty. If the rifle plates are not worn in the ballistic vest carrier, the plates shall be stored near the rifle (if applicable) and readily accessible in the vehicle at all times. g. LEOs will be issued supplemental ballistic rifle plate carriers, which will include body worn camera cases and rifle magazine holders. Panels with the word POLICE shall be affixed to the front and back of the carriers. There will be no additions or other alterations to the supplemental ballistic rifle plate carriers. Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 6 of 16 h. LEOs are required to wear his/her body worn cameras on the ballistic rifle plate carriers when the carriers are worn. LEOs shall make every reasonable effort to wear the ballistic rifle plates during critical incidents or when he/she deploy his/her rifles. i. Supervisors shall ensure that ballistic rifle plates and carriers are visually inspected at least once a month and documented in the Department’s electronic records management system during line inspections. j. LEOs shall immediately report any lost or damaged ballistic rifle plates to his/her immediate supervisor. 3. LEO CLASS A UNIFORM: a. b. Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 The following issued gear will be worn with the Class A Uniform: i. Gun belt ii. Handcuffs and case iii. Pistol and holster iv. Two spare magazines and holder v. Radio The Class A Uniform will consist of the following: i. Long sleeve blue shirt ii. Blue uniform pants iii. Collar brass iv. Service ribbons v. Hash Marks (optional) vi. Polished black shoes vii. Years of service pin (optional) viii. Name plate with optional “Serving Since” attachment ix. Badge x. Blue tie xi. Issued tie clip Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 7 of 16 xii. Uniform round hat (when authorized by the chief of police or his/her designee) c. xiii. Brass buttons (command staff only) xiv. An epaulet with rank insignia for lieutenants and above The following exceptions apply to the Class A Uniform for Motor officers: i. Issued black riding britches with silver stripes ii. Issued black riding boots iii. Issued long sleeve black shirt with shoulder patches and the Motor Unit patch on the left sleeve iv. Issued helmet d. The collar brass will be worn on the shirt collar diagonally to the point of the collar. e. slots. The badge will be worn on the left side of the shirt, pinned in the provided f. The US flag pin will be worn directly below the badge, centered on the pocket flap. g. If a silver or black pen is visible, it will be worn in the left pocket in the designated slot. h. The tie clasp will be worn on a line from the lower flap of the left pocket to the lower flap of the right pocket. i. Issued hash marks, one for each three years of service, may be sewn on the left sleeve of a long-sleeve shirt starting 1/8" of an inch from the top of the cuff and running upward on the outside of the sleeve. j. The nameplate will be worn centered above the right pocket, with the bottom edge of the plate on top of the pocket. k. The issued years in service pin will be worn under the nameplate, centered on the pocket flap. l. All award bars will be worn 1/8” above the nameplate, in accordance with Departmental Standards Directive 26.120 Awards. m. One issued specialty unit/assignment pin (e.g., Dive, K-9, Traffic, FTO, EOD, SWAT, CNT, etc.) may be worn centered and 1/8” above the nameplate or award bars (if applicable). Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 8 of 16 4. COMMAND STAFF TACTICAL CLASS A UNIFORM a. The Tactical Class A uniform may be worn by command staff LEOs of the rank of Captain and above at the discretion of the Chief of Police. b. c. The following issued gear will be worn with the Tactical Class A Uniform: i. Gun belt ii. Handcuffs and case iii. Pistol and holster iv. Two spare magazines and holder v. Radio The Tactical Class A uniform will consist of: i. shirt 5. Issued black long sleeve or short sleeve button down Stryke PDU a) Patches on the sleeves b) The US flag over the right chest c) The name under the flag ii. Issued black uniform pants iii. Black finish boots or black sneakers iv. Silver badge v. Silver collar brass rank insignia LEO CLASS B UNIFORM: a. The following issued gear is required for the Class B Uniform: i. TASER, one spare cartridge, and holster: To be worn in a crossdraw method only. ii. Firearm and holster: To be worn on the issued gun belt on the strong hand side. iii. Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Two issued magazines. Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 9 of 16 iv. An LEO may choose to wear two additional magazines with department issued ammunition only, if he/she purchases the two extra magazines and receives approval from the range master. b. v. Handcuffs vi. Defensive baton vii. Radio viii. Flashlight holder/ring ix. Protective gloves x. Gun belt The Class B Uniform will consist of the following: i. Issued short sleeve black shirt with patches ii. Issued long sleeve black shirt with patches (optional) iii. For supervisors rank insignia on collar or stripes on sleeve iv. Issued black uniform pants v. Issued Soft Hat (optional) vi. Black finish shoes, sneakers, or boots with laces vii. Issued black external vest and ballistic panels, with the following issued mandatory components: a) Embroidered US flag attached (Velcro) to the upper right chest area b) Nameplate affixed (Velcro) directly below the flag c) Embroidered badge attached (Velcro) to the left chest d) “POLICE/BOCA RATON” panel attached (Velcro) to the upper back portion of the vest e) c. Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Body worn mobile video recorder, if issued. The following items may be worn on the external vest: i. Issued handcuff-sized pouches ii. The baton and issued holder Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 10 of 16 iii. The radio, issued communications accessories and issued holder iv. Only two issued (or purchased) magazines and issued holder v. One pen, which is predominantly black, with minimal silver coloring visible, worn under the flag or next to the right chest pocket vi. TASER, one spare cartridge, and issued holster. To be worn on the center or weak hand side of the body in a cross-draw method only. vii. Issued chemical weapon (OC) and issued holder viii. Mini-flashlight and holder: Mini-flashlights must be black, and pouches must have a flat or matte black finish d. The following items may be worn on the issued gun belt: i. Issued chemical weapon (OC) and issued holder ii. Black or silver cellular telephone/data device. Devices of other colors may be concealed in a flat or matte black case. iii. Handcuffs and issued case iv. Baton and issued holder v. Radio and issued holder vi. Only two issued (or purchased) magazines and issued holder vii. Mini-flashlight and holder: Mini-flashlights must be black, and pouches must have a flat or matte black finish viii. Keeper straps consistent with the color and finish of the gun belt ix. Key keeper or strap consistent with the color and finish of the gun belt x. TASER, one spare cartridge, and issued holster. To be worn on the weak hand side of the body in a cross-draw method only. e. If an LEO chooses to carry four (4) magazines, he/she shall wear two (2) on the duty belt and two (2) on the external ballistic vest. f. Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 The following exceptions apply to the Class B Uniform for K-9 officers: i. K-9 patches affixed to the issued black uniform shirts ii. “K-9” panel attached to the back of the external vest Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 11 of 16 g. Marine officers shall have his/her body armor readily available in the external vest carrier and will wear the following: h. i. All required Class B gear, worn on the issued gun belt. ii. Issued white uniform shirt (long or short sleeve) iii. Issued khaki uniform shorts or long pants iv. Non-skid white or tan shoes v. Low cut white socks The following exceptions apply to the Class B Uniform for Motor officers: i. Issued black riding britches with silver stripes ii. Issued black riding boots iii. Issued helmet i. The external vest shall be worn at all times, except when employees are located in the secure portion of a police facility, away from the public. 6. LEO CLASS C / TRAINING UNIFORM: a. The following gear, at a minimum, will be carried when wearing the Class C Uniform: i. Issued pistol and issued holster ii. Completely black belt or issued gun belt iii. Radio and/or cellular telephone (Black or silver in color. Devices of other colors may be concealed in a flat or matte black case.) b. iv. Handcuffs v. Spare magazine The Class C Uniform will consist of the following: i. Issued black uniform pants ii. Issued long or short sleeve black shirt with the following embroidered (silver) items: Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 a) Patches on the sleeves b) The badge over the left chest Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 12 of 16 c) The US flag over the right chest d) The name under the flag, with the specialty team name (if applicable) under the name e) Rank insignia on the collars or stripes on sleeve f) Specialty team insignia embroidered on the right sleeve, if applicable (optional) iii. Black finish shoes, sneakers, or boots with laces iv. Issued Soft Hat (optional) c. The Class C / Training Uniform will be worn at the discretion of the chief of police or his/her designee. d. The issued black external vest and ballistic panels may be worn over the Class C Uniform shirt. 7. LEO SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT UNIFORM: a. Certain assignments (e.g., Motors, K-9, SWAT, Dive, etc.) require special issued clothing and equipment for training and duty assignments. b. Uniform guidelines unique to a specialty function will be delineated in the appropriate standard operating procedure. c. The team or unit supervisor will authorize the attire and equipment, based on training or duty assignment needs. d. Team members or unit employees wearing specialty uniforms in public will carry, at a minimum, the required equipment for the Class C Uniform. 8. COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER (CSO) UNIFORM: a. The CSO Uniform will consist of the following: i. Issued short or long sleeve gray polo uniform shirt with the following embroidered items: Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 a) The CSO badge over the left chest b) US flag embroidered on the right chest c) The name under the flag, with CSO under the name ii. Issued black uniform pants iii. Issued soft hat (optional) Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 13 of 16 b. iv. Black finish shoes, sneakers, or boots with laces v. Issued outer belt vi. Flashlight ring CSOs may wear the following on his/her issued outer belt: i. Cellular telephone/data device (Black or silver in color. Devices of other colors may be concealed in a flat or matte black case.) ii. Mini-flashlight and holder: Mini-flashlights must be black, and pouches must have a flat or matte black finish iii. Issued chemical weapon (OC) and issued holder, if trained and approved to carry for defensive purposes. c. CSOs who are issued concealed body armor shall wear the armor while on duty at all times. 9. CIVILIAN UNIFORMS: a. The chief of police or his/her designee will determine whether other specific assignments require uniforms. b. The general civilian uniform will consist of the following: i. Issued short or long sleeve black polo uniform shirt with the following embroidered items: a) Department logo embroidered on the left chest b) US flag embroidered on the right chest. c) Crime Scene Technicians, Latent Fingerprint Examiner, Biological Processing Analyst, Digital Evidence Recovery Technician, Multimedia Evidence Technicians and Evidence Technicians, and Communications Section employees shall have either “CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN”, “LATENT FINGERPRINT EXAMINER”, “BIOLOGICAL PROCESSING LAB”, “EVIDENCE TECHNICIAN”, or “COMMUNICATIONS” embroidered under the flag. ii. Issued black uniform pants iii. Completely black uniform belt iv. Closed toe and closed back black finish shoes, black sneakers, or black boots with laces Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 14 of 16 10. NON-UNIFORMED APPEARANCE REGULATIONS: a. Employees shall wear appropriate business footwear. b. Heels on shoes may not exceed three inches. c. No flip-flops may be worn. d. Dress sandals may be worn. e. Stockings are optional f. No spandex may be worn. g. Crop tops and t-shirts are unacceptable. h. Necklines shall be appropriate for business attire. i. Bras and/or camisoles must be worn. j. Civilian males who are not issued a uniform must wear either a polo shirt or dress shirt with a tie. 11. k. Ankle length dress slacks are the only type of long pants permitted. l. No jeans, jogging suits, capri pants, or sweatpants are allowed. m. Jeans may be worn on dress-down days only. n. Hems on skirts may not be shorter than 2 inches above the knee. o. Jean skirts or jean dresses are permitted on dress down days only. REPLACEMENT ITEMS: a. Uniformed employees are re-issued replacement items, as needed, with a general expectation of a minimum of one year of use from the date issued. b. Uniforms are re-issued by the police administrative technician when a Uniform/Equipment Requisition form is completed and routed through the employee’s supervisor. c. The requesting employee shall be notified by the police administrative technician of availability of the requested items. d. New articles shall not be issued until the articles to be replaced are returned. e. The police administrative technician shall make any adjustments on the individual property record. Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 15 of 16 12. ACCOUNTABILITY: a. The employee is responsible to keep the uniform clean and neat and to return it in that manner at the end of employment. b. Incidents of lost or damaged articles shall be documented and forwarded to the police administrative technician via the chain of command for replacement. c. An employee found to be negligent will be held liable for the cost of the item and may be subject to disciplinary action. d. Upon separation from the Department, employees shall surrender all issued items. e. The Department will be reimbursed for missing items through appropriate deductions from the employee’s final pay. f. The police administrative technician, Human Resources, and a city finance specialist participate in this procedure. g. The employee, at his/her cost, may make only alterations for size, not the style of the uniform. h. Supervisors shall be responsible to ensure that employees wear the uniform in accordance with the policy through regular informal inspections and documented monthly line inspections. See Departmental Standards Directive 53.100 Inspections for more information. Effective: August 17, 2011 Revised: January 26, 2023 Appearance of Personnel Directive No. 26.200 Page 16 of 16