Policy 1025: Uniforms and Civilian Attire
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Policy 1025: Uniforms and Civilian Attire 1025.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE .This policy provides guidelines for Battle Creek Police Department authorized uniforms and civilian attire regulations. It is established to ensure that uniformed members will be readily identifiable to the public through the proper use and wearing of department uniforms, and that the appearance of members who wear civilian attire reflects favorably on the Department. This policy addresses the wearing and maintenance of department uniforms, accessories, insignia, patches and badge; the requirements for members who wear civilian attire; and the authorized use of optional equipment and accessories by members of the Department. Other related topics are addressed in the Badges, Patches and Identification, Department-Owned and Personal Property, and Personal Appearance Standards policies. 1025.1.1 DEFINITIONS UNIFORMED OFFICER: Any employee, whether sworn or non-sworn who at any time wears a department issued uniform without regard to rank or assignment. UNIFORM OF THE DAY: The proper issued uniform as established in this directive. OFFICIAL POLICE DUTIES: Normal police functions that include citizen/officer contact outside the confines of the police cruiser. COURT APPEARANCES: For the purpose of this directive, the following are considered court appearances: • District, circuit, and juvenile court hearings and trials. • Implied consent hearings. • Duty related civil hearings. • Duty related depositions. • Complaint signing before a magistrate or Judge. CIVILIAN BUSINESS ATTIRE: Civilian business attire is a dress code typified by a suit and tie, sports jacket, or blazer. It is more formal than casual. BUSINESS CASUAL: A style of clothing that is less formal than traditional business wear, but is still intended to give a professional and businesslike impression. Examples include khaki style pants, polo or button up collared shirts. CLASS A UNIFORM: Class “A” uniform is designated as a dress uniform to be worn for formal events such as graduations, funerals, ceremonies, etc. CLASS B UNIFORM: Uniform is designated for general patrol duty and is authorized to be worn by sworn police officers CLASS C UNIFORM: Class C uniform is designated as the tactical uniform for sworn police officers. 1025.2 POLICY The Battle Creek Police Department will provide uniforms for all employees who are required to wear them in the manner, quantity and frequency agreed upon in the respective employee group’s collective bargaining agreement. The Department may provide other department members with uniforms at the direction of the Chief of Police. All uniforms and equipment issued to department members shall be returned to the Department upon termination or resignation. 1025.3 UNIFORMS .The Chief of Police or the authorized designee shall maintain and update uniform and equipment specifications, which should be consulted by all members as needed. Uniforms shall be worn as described therein and as specified in this policy. The following shall apply to those assigned to wear department-issued uniforms: a. Uniforms and equipment shall be maintained in a serviceable condition and shall be ready at all times for immediate use. Uniforms shall be neat, clean and appear professionally pressed. b. Officers in a non-uniformed assignment shall possess and maintain at all times a serviceable uniform and the necessary equipment to perform uniformed field duty. c. Uniforms shall be worn in compliance with any applicable department specifications. d. Members shall wear only the uniforms specified for their ranks and assignments. When changing from one assignment to another members are responsible for turning in or exchanging uniform or equipment items. e. When worn in conjunction with any uniform, the tie will be fully clipped over a buttoned collar at all times when in view of the public. f. Long sleeve shirts will be worn with the sleeves down and buttoned. g. Civilian attire shall not be worn in combination with any distinguishable part of a uniform. h. Uniforms are only to be worn while on-duty, for court, at official department functions or events, while in transit to or from work, or when authorized by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee. i. Members are not to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages while wearing any part of department- issued uniforms, including the uniform pants. j. All supervisors will perform periodic inspections of members under their commands to ensure conformance to this policy. k. The summer uniform shall be worn from April 15th through October 14th of each year. The winter uniform shall be worn from October 15th through April 14th of each year. l. Uniformed officers shall be required to wear the uniform of the day during all court appearances or other legally obligated appearances. m. Employees are responsible for lost, stolen, misplaced, altered, or damaged items. Whenever such loss or damage is attributed to employee neglect or carelessness, such employee may be subject to disciplinary action and the cost of replacement. n. Employees shall review the quartermaster inventory file annually ensuring their uniforms and uniform allotments are up to date. o. In order to ensure a professional appearance and personal safety all on duty employees whether in uniform or civilian attire shall be neatly dressed and groomed in accordance with contemporary conservative standards as determined by the Chief of Police and as specified within this policy. 1025.3.1 ACCESSORIES Members shall adhere to the following when wearing department uniforms: a. Mirrored sunglasses will not be worn. b. Jewelry shall be in accordance with the specifications in the Personal Appearance Standards Policy. 1025.3.2 INSIGNIA, PATCHES AND BADGE .Only the following elements may be affixed to department uniforms unless an exception is authorized by the Chief of Police: a. Shoulder patch - The authorized shoulder patch supplied by the Department shall be machine stitched to the sleeves of all uniform shirts and jackets of Class A and Class B uniforms. b. Badge - The department-issued badge, or an authorized sewn-on cloth replica, must be worn and visible at all times while in uniform. c. Nameplate - The regulation nameplate, or an authorized sewn-on cloth nameplate, shall be worn at all times while in uniform. d. Rank insignia - The designated insignia indicating the member’s rank must be worn at all times while in uniform. e. Assignment insignias - Assignment insignias (e.g., Emergency Response Team ERT, Police Training Officer (PTO)) may be worn as designated by the Chief of Police. f. Award/commendation insignia - Insignia representing an award or commendation received under the Commendations and Awards Policy, or other recognition authorized by the Chief of Police, may be worn, centered above the nameplate. If more than one award is worn the insignia shall be equally spaced in one or two horizontal rows centered above the nameplate in a manner that provides a balanced appearance. See attachment: PR 1025 A UNIFORMS AND CIVILIAN ATTIRE.pdf 1025.3.3 MOURNING BAND .Uniformed members shall wear a black mourning band across the department badge whenever a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty or as directed by the Chief of Police. The following mourning periods will be observed: a. Battle Creek Police Department officer - From the time of death until midnight on the 14th day after the death. b. An officer from this or an adjacent county - From the time of death until midnight on the day of the funeral. c. Funeral attendee - While attending the funeral of an out-of-region fallen officer. d. National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day (May 15) - From 0001 hours until 2359 hours. e. As directed by the Chief of Police. 1025.4 UNIFORM CLASSES The Chief of Police or the authorized designee shall determine the uniform to be worn by each department member or any deviations that may be authorized. Uniforms are classified as follows: a. Class A - Full dress uniform to be worn by designated department members on special occasions, such as funerals, graduations, ceremonies, or as directed by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee. b. Class B - Standard issue uniform to be worn daily by designated department members. c. Class C - General utility uniform to be worn by designated Department members. d. Specialized assignment - Specific uniforms to be worn by members in special assignments or divisions. 1025.4.1 CLASS A UNIFORM The Class A uniform consists of the following: Class A Uniform for Command Staff • Navy blue formal blouse coat with department insignia on the shoulders, metal badge, and nameplate pinned in the appropriate place. • White long sleeve uniform shirt with metal badge, nameplate, and awards. • White tee shirt. • Black clip on tie with appropriate tie pin. • Navy blue dress trousers with black stripe. • Black dress uniform shoes shined to a high gloss. • Black socks. • Garrison hat. Class A Uniform for Sworn Line and Supervisory Staff • Blue “Ike” style jacket with department insignia, metal badge or rank-specific badge patch and a metal nameplate. • Long sleeve shirts will be worn with the sleeves down and buttoned. Black clip on tie with appropriate tie bar. • Navy blue trousers with black stripe. • Black dress uniform shoes shined to a high gloss. • Black socks. • Full duty belt as defined. 1025.4.2 CLASS B UNIFORM Class B Winter Uniform • Issued navy blue duty coat or lightweight jacket. • Issued navy blue police garrison style hat, navy blue winter hat, or department issued stocking cap. The garrison hat shall have a silver or gold metal band and the appropriate hat badge affixed to it. Gold bands are for use by the rank of Detective or above. • Issued navy blue long sleeve shirts that will be completely buttoned while on duty unless an approved mock turtleneck is worn. • Plain black trouser belt. • Issued black equipment belt with issued components (optional for those assigned to non-patrol duties and officers assigned to station duty).