Policy Text
Page 1 of 17 General Order 3 -3 (07/31/2024 )
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Chapter
3 Number
3 Pages
16
References:
CALEA: 45.3.3 , 17.5.2, 22.1.6 , 41.3.4, 41.3.5,
41.3.6
2024 -2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement
between City of Richmond, VA and Service
Employees International Union, Virginia 512 and
2024 -2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement
between City of Richmond, VA and Richmond
Coalition of Police.
Related
Orders :
01-01, 04-04 Effective Date: 07/31/2024
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 07/30/20 21
If any provision of this General Order conflicts with any collective bargaining article,
the collective bargaining agreement shall govern.
Chief of Police :
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to provide basic guidelines regarding the wearin g,
maintenance, care of uniforms and issued equipment for the Department’s personnel .
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
Langu age has been added referencing a third external carrier that has been approved to
wear and t o include revisions from the Collective B argaining Agre ements. All new
language will be in bold and italic.
III. POLICY
A. It is the p olicy of the Richmond Police Department to provide sworn officers and
designated civilian personnel with the proper apparel and equipment required in the
performance of law enforcemen t functions that demonstrates a sense of pride,
professionalism and unifo rmity. Only items, which are issued or hereafter approved
by the Department, will be worn in combination with the un iform . [CALEA 22.1.6 ,
41.3.4 ]
B. All SUPERVISORS are to be held acco untable for the appearance of personnel ,
sworn and civilian, under their command. They are to ensure that officers are
wearing the appropriate uniform for their assignment, that uniforms are neat, pressed
and professional in appearance ; and that civilian personnel are dressed in a neat and
professional manner consistent with t heir position assignment.
C. QUARTERMASTER – is responsible for issuing the proper uniforms and apparel to
members bas ed on their position assignment, recording, and maintaining accura te
records of same, and handling the replacement process for lost, stolen or worn items.
Page 2 of 16 - Gene ral Ord er 03-03 (07/17/2024 )
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT D. DEPARTMENT MEMBERS – are responsible for wearing and maintaining their
uniforms in a manner consistent with the personal appearance listed in this directive.
Each mem ber is to dress in a neat and clean manner, which illu strates police
profe ssionalism. Furthermore, all employees shall maintain, employ and secure
departmental uniforms and equipment in accor dance with G eneral Order 1-1, Code of
Conduct and specifically th e Rule of Conduct entitled “Use of Department
Equipment.”
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY S TATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in
this general order . Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any
violations of policy are investigated and appropriate training, couns eling and/or
disciplinary action is initiated.
This directive is for internal use only, and does not enlarge an emplo yee’s civil liability
in any way. It should not be constru ed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or
care in an evidentiary sens e, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this
directive, if proven, can only form the basis of a complain t by this department, and then
only in a non -judicial administrat ive setting.
V. PROCEDURE
A. Uniform Distribution and Maintenance: [CALEA 17.5.2, 22.1.6 ]
Each sworn employee shall receive a set number of uniforms from the
Quartermaster , who shall record and maintain a n individual record of inventory for
each officer . Th e type of uniforms an officer receives is determined by their
current po sition.
1. Captains and above shall be issued long white sleeve shirts to wear with the
dress uniform .
2. All sworn personnel shall be issued the standard long and short sleeve
Richmond blue shirts.
B. Types of Uniforms:
1. Formal Dress Uniform:
The formal dress uniform shall be assigne d to any sworn employee with rank
of Captain and above. The design and appearance of the formal uniform shall
be at the discretion of the Chief of Police and each r ank shall be designated as
explained in section “ J” of this order. The wearing of decorati ons and awards
is mandatory with the formal dress uniform.
2. Class “A” Uniform: [CALEA 22.1.6 ]
a) The Class “ A” Uniform shall c onsist of Class “A” trousers, hat, hat
shield, long sleeve shirt, necktie, Sam Browne leather belt with required
equipmen t and plain toe polished black shoes. The wearing of
decorations and awards is optional when wearing the Class “A” un iform.
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