301536

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: February 22, 2023  Amends - GO 9.1.2 ( March 31, 2021 ) Number: 9.1.2 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: June Reviewing Authority: Fiscal/Supply Subject: Appearance, Uniforms, And Equipment This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this directive is to describe the agency’s initial clothing and equipment issue and to establish a standard of appearance and apparel for agency members wearing assigned uniforms . 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency to issue uniforms and equipment as required for employees to accomplish assigned functions and be neat and professional in appearance. 3. Defini tions A. Class “A” Uniform – traditional polyester long sleeve shirt with shoulder emblems, longevity bars and worn with metal badges and accessories, black tie, and trousers. B. Class “B” Uniform – Stretch rip -stop short sleeve shirt or long sleeve shirt without black tie with shoulder emblems and worn with cloth or metal badges and accessories, and trousers. C. Class “C” Uniform – short sleeve spruce external stretch rip -stop shirt with shoulder emblems, sewn -on cloth badge and name strip, and green shorts. D. Class “D” Uniform – Agency issued tactical or BDU style pants and an embroidered polo shirt. E. Specialty Uniform – any uniform designed or configured for a specific function or purpose, e.g., Aviation flight suits, Motors/Mounted breeches. F. External Carrier – A garment designed to hold soft body armor and be worn over a uniform shirt. 4. Procedures A. Personal Appearance The uniform and personal appearance of on-duty agency members , particularly 9.1.2, Page 2 of 11 how uniforms and other symbols of authority are worn, can influence the professional standards of the agency and how those standards are perceived by the public. On-duty agency personnel shall adhere to these business appropriate appearance standards, which commensurate with the high values traditionally associa ted with the agency . No peculiarities in dress or appearance are permitted because they detract from uniformity and team identity. All members of the agency shall be properly groomed and their attire appropriately cleaned and pressed at all times. B. Uniform Regulations and Sworn On -Duty Plain Clothes Policy 1. These regulations will apply to all uniformed and sworn on -duty plain clothes members of the agency. 2. The agency uniform and all accessories will be of the style, color, and type of material design ated by the Sheriff. 3. Uniformed members shall wear the prescribed uniform and accessories when reporting for duty. If desired, uniforms may be worn while appearing before a magistrate. Wearing the official uniform while engaged in approved off -duty emplo yment will also be governed by this directive. 4. Members may wear the designated uniform during any authorized special duty assignment. This includes, but is not limited to, parades, civic functions, funerals, or while serving as a member of an agency hono r guard. 5. Under no conditions will a part of the official uniform be intermixed with the wearing of civilian clothing, unless approved by the supervisor. 6. Members of the agency, not wearing the official uniform, shall wear suitable business attire. Section managers may authorize other types of suitable clothing in order to achieve specific objectives. 7. Appropriate dress for training functions requires, at a minimum, wearing of long pants in good condition, a collared shirt, and athletic shoes. Head gear, if utilized, will be professional in nature so as not to detract from the image of the Sheriff's Office. 8. In an effort to properly identify all members of the agency, each employee will be issued a name tag identification badge, which will be promine ntly displayed on or above the waist during regular duty hours when in civilian clothes. On duty agency personnel shall furnish their agency identification cards to any person who requests that information regardless if they are in uniform or in plaincloth es. 9. When "on" or "off -duty" and in civilian clothing, each sworn member shall carry his/her badge, credentials, and a weapon with which he/she has qualified and which has been approved in accordance with agency policies. Firearms will be covered when in public unless extenuating circumstances do not permit the concealment of the firearm. When in public, on -duty plain 9.1.2, Page 3 of 11 clothes personnel who wear their firearms in plain sight shall display their badge on their belt and their photo ID att ached to their shirt or on a lanyard around their neck. 10. Employees shall not lend their name tag, identification badge, proximity card or badges, or permit them to be photographed or reproduced, without the approval of the Sheriff. C. Clothing Allowance Clothing allowance is provided in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement . D. Shoe Allowance Unit employees, regardless of assignment, shall receive a shoe allowance in the amount of $125 annually , to be paid in the first pay period of January of each calendar year. When specialized shoes or footwear are provided to a bargaining unit employee to be worn during the regular, normal duty assignment, the employee shall not be eligible for