Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NUMBER:
G - 28
GENERAL ORDER
RESCINDS:
SUBJECT: Employee Dress and Appearance
EFFECTIVE: November 14, 1994
REVISED: June 5, 2024
Table of Contents:
I. Purpose
II. Scope
III. Definitions
IV. Clothing and Uniforms
V. Uniform Accessories and Equipment
VI. Hairstyles and Facial Hair
VII. Jewelry
VIII. Tattoos and Body Ornamentation
IX. Miscellaneous Appearance Restrictions
X. Court Appearance
XI. Uniform Committee
I. PURPOSE:
This directive is established to provide employees with accepted requirements of dress and grooming to ensure
personal appearance of employees reflects the high professional standards of the Sheriff’s Office. This policy not
only recognizes the benefits of maintaining an overall professional appearance and having standards, it also
recognizes the potential safety hazards to persons in uniform that do not exist equally to persons not in uniformed
assignments. This policy seeks to recognize the current and evolving appearance trends in society as well as
balance the interests of the Sheriff’s Office with the expressive desires of its members within reasonable bounds.
II. SCOPE:
A. The Director of Human Resources is responsible for evaluating whether a job applicant’s tattoos(s) or
body ornamentation would be prohibited by this policy.
B. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring the high standards and professionalism of the Sheriff’s Office
are adhered to while utilizing good judgment regarding the spirit of this directive.
C. Employees are encouraged to consult with the Director of Human Resources and review this policy prior
to obtaining any additional tattoos or body ornamentation.
D. Any employee who obtains any tattoo or body ornamentation after the effective date of this policy
which is of a prohibited nature may be subject to discipline up to and including termination.
E. Any individual who believes that any provision which applies to them cannot be adhered to due to a
medical condition, religious belief, gender identity or other such reason, must schedule an appointment
with the Director of Human Resources for evaluation and resolution on a case-by-case basis.
GENERAL ORDER
Employee Dress and Appearance
GO # 28 PAGE 1 OF 12\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nF. Employees are cautioned that tattoos are a means by which people can be identified and may pose a
safety concern and disqualifying consideration for those seeking assignment in an undercover duty
assignment.
III. DEFINITIONS:
A. Body Ornamentation:
Includes, but is not limited to, intentional body mutilation, piercing, branding, or intentional scarring or
shaping of the skin. Examples of body ornamentation include but are not limited to brands, intentional
body/tongue piercing, split or forked tongue, foreign objects inserted under the skin to create a design or
pattern or gauges in the ear in excess of ¼ inch, the use of gold, platinum or other ornamental veneers or
caps for purposes of dental ornamentation, jewels, initials, or other non-medically necessary adornments
on the teeth, mutilation and dental ornamentation. This definition does not include the normal piercing
of the earlobe for earrings as authorized in this policy or any body ornamentation needed as a result
of any required medical procedure.
B. Business Casual Dress:
A level of dress intended to reflect a professional appearance without the wearing of a uniform or formal
clothing.
C. Certified Uniform:
Specific agency issued clothing, required to be worn by certified personnel assigned to the John E.
Polk Correctional Facility, Juvenile Detention Center, and the Juvenile Assessment Center.
D. Civilian Uniform:
Specific agency-issued clothing, required to be worn by civilian personnel.
E. Sworn Uniform:
Specific agency-issued clothing, required to be worn by sworn deputies as set forth in this policy.
F. Tattoo or Tattooing:
A marking made by inserting ink into the dermis layer of the skin to alter the display of pigmentation.
The term also includes any scar, branding, marking, or other permanent or temporary body modification
placed on the body for purposes of decoration, ornamentation, and adornment or otherwise. Tattoos
include temporary modifications such as henna or transfer tattoos. The term tattoo does not include
unobtrusive and naturally appearing permanent makeup, such as eyeliner or lip liner if it conforms to the
policy on makeup. Nor does it include any necessary tattoo because of a medical procedure.
G. Visible:
Visible is defined as being able to be seen by another person including able to be seen through the
clothing.
IV. CLOTHING AND UNIFORMS:
A. General:
1. Employees will always dress in uniform or plain clothes attire according to their job
assignment when on duty.
2. Clothing worn while at work will be clean, free from odor, and neatly pressed. Apparel is to be
kept free of tears, worn areas, and strings.
3. Shoes will be clean and polished.
GENERAL ORDER
Employee Dress and Appearance
GO # 28 PAGE 2 OF 13\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nB. Uniforms:
1. Employees assigned to uniformed positions are provided uniforms and related equipment or
department issued clothing at Sheriff’s Office expense and required to be worn as described
further herein. Shoes are provided by the agency only to personnel assigned to the Honor
Guard; however, boots identified as part of the motorcycle uniform or that of other specialty
units may be provided by the Sheriff’s Office.
2. While wearing the uniform, employees shall maintain a military bearing and will avoid
mannerisms such as slouching and resting with the hands in the pockets.
3. Uniformed employees will also conform to other Sheriff’s Office directives for any specific and
applicable regulations governing the wearing of uniforms.
4. Baseball style hats are not to be worn during any formal ceremony or event while wearing the
Class A uniform. Approved Sheriff’s Office baseball style hats may otherwise be worn by
employees, with bill forward, in uniform. Approved baseball style hats must be requested and
obtained through Material Supply, subject to availability, with prior approval from the
employee’s supervisor. Employees working inside the Public Safety Building (Bldg. 100),
Criminal Justice Center, Juvenile Justice Center, Civil Courthouse, County Services Building,
John E. Polk Correctional Facility, the Juvenile Detention Center, or the Juvenile Assessment
Center are not permitted to wear hats while inside of these facilities.
5. Employees operating personal motorcycles in uniform or while wearing any other item that
identifies them as Sheriff’s Office employees shall wear a helmet.
6. No mixture of civilian outer clothing shall be worn with the uniform except as authorized herein.
NOTE: The Sheriff, Undersheriff, or Department Chief may adjust uniform apparel when
situations dictate a necessary modification.
C. Deputy Sheriff Class A Uniform (Formal Occasions):
The Class A uniform presents a formal appearance at ceremonial occasions. It consists of:
1. Long sleeve spruce green shirt. (The current issue is brand name Elbeco which is subject to
change at the determination of Material Supply and the Uniform Committee.)
2. Spruce green tie with tie clasp, with the clasp affixed halfway between the knot and the bottom
tip of the tie.
3. Spruce green trousers with black stripe. (The current issue is brand name Elbeco which is
subject to change at the determination of Material Supply and the Uniform Committee.)
4. Black basket-weave duty belt, under belt, and accessories.
5. SCSO insignia (gold is authorized for supervisors). Collar brass shall be worn parallel to the
top of the collar; ¾” below the top of the collar.
6. Badge, which is worn in the designated area above the left breast pocket.
7. Name tag, the bottom edge of which shall rest upon, and be centered on, the top seam of the
right breast pocket.
8. Citation (award) ribbons, which are worn in the order of precedence, are centered above the
name tag, with the bot