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\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS SUBJECT Appearance and Uniform Regulations CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on File Proudly Policing Since 1826 Nationally Accredited 1986 NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES 4 07/15/1985 07/03/2025 27 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES City of Tallahassee Administrative Policy 706, Working Conditions General Order 10, Citations and Awards General Order 35, Line Inspections General Order 46, Rules of Conduct Special Order 10, Building Security and Evacuation ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CALEA Chapters 22, 41 KEY WORD INDEX Badges, Insignia, Patches and Attachments Procedure IX Footwear Procedure V General Guidelines – All Members Procedure I General Guidelines – Civilian Members Procedures III General Guidelines – Sworn Members Procedure II Grooming and Personal Items Procedure XI Hats, Caps, Gloves and Neckties – Sworn Members Procedure VII Inspection and Replacement Procedure XVI Protective Vests Procedure X Temporary Modified Duty Attire Procedure XIII Testing and Evaluation Items Procedure XIV Undershirts, Turtlenecks and Socks Procedure VI Uniform Belt and Belt Equipment – Sworn Members Procedure VIII Uniform Class Designations – Sworn Members Procedure XII Uniform Committee Procedure XV Uniforms and Outerwear Procedure IV\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY The Department is responsible for establishing standardized appearance and uniform regulations for members. Members are responsible for adhering to the standards set forth by the Department. DEFINITIONS Body Ornamentation: Any type of modification, alteration or decoration of the human body for non-medical reasons, including but not limited to, body piercing (other than ears), stretching/gauging and branding. Body Mutilation: Split or forked tongues, foreign objects placed under the skin to create a design or pattern, intentionally enlarged or stretched out holes in the ears, and intentional scarring. Business Casual Attire: Any clothing considered acceptable wear in a public business setting, to include pressed slacks or khakis, a belt as needed or required by the pants style, and a tucked in button up shirt or polo shirt. Additionally, for female members, a pressed skirt which is knee length or longer is considered business casual attire. Prohibited clothing includes jeans, tee shirts, sweat suits/warm-ups, or similar items unless otherwise specified or approved. Class A Uniform: The standard uniform consisting of Department-issued long- sleeved uniform shirt (excluding shirts with embroidered name and badge, or outer vest carriers), necktie, long pants, dress hat, and Department-approved footwear. Class B Uniform: The standard uniform (which may have an embroidered name and badge) consisting of Department-issued long-sleeve or short-sleeved uniform shirt, or a base layer polo combined with its outer vest carrier (designed to appear as a standard Patrol uniform shirt), long pants, and Department- approved footwear. Class C Uniform: A uniform consisting of Department-issued short-sleeved shirt (which may have an embroidered name and badge, or a base layer polo combined with its outer vest carrier [designed to appear as a standard Patrol uniform shirt]), and matching Department-approved shorts, black athletic shoes, and black crew length (or shorter) socks. Class D Uniform: A uniform consisting of Department-issued polo shirt (with a badge and Department insignia) and long pants, and Department-approved footwear. GENERAL ORDER 4 PAGE 2 of 27 APPEARANCE AND UNIFORM REGULATIONS JULY 3, 2025\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT Dental Ornamentation: The use of gold, platinum, caps or other veneers, or jewels, initials, etc. on the teeth for the purposes of ornamentation. Ear Plug: Solid cylinders that fit inside a stretched piercing hole. Function Pin/Plate: A pin/plate issued or approved by the Department which indicates the member’s work assignment and is designed to be worn above the nameplate. On-Duty: When members are working their regular duty assignment or any special assignment compensated by the Department. Secondary Employment: Employment where a member works for an entity other than the Department and a condition of the employment is the actual or potential use of law enforcement powers by the employed member. Shoulder Line: The horizontal line (raised stitching) across the shoulder blades of the standard and dress uniform shirts. Standard Uniform: The uniform issued by the Department for patrol duties by sworn members, which consists of short- or long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes or boots, Department-issued/approved uniform belt, equipment, and accessories. PROCEDURES I. GENERAL GUIDELINES – ALL MEMBERS A. This written directive is applicable to members when on-duty or working secondary employment. B. Members shall dress in a manner consistent with the applicable sections of this written directive unless given specific supervisory permission to do otherwise. C. A Bureau Commander or designee, or higher Department authority, is authorized to direct members to report for duty in specific attire and to specific grooming standards in anticipation of a law enforcement related need for such a deviation from standard attire/grooming. D. Members, regardless of assignment, shall report to work clean, neat, properly groomed, properly/fully attired, and ready for duty. GENERAL ORDER 4 PAGE 3 of 27 APPEARANCE AND UNIFORM REGULATIONS JULY 3, 2025\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT E. Whether in uniform or business casual attire, members shall report for duty in clean clothes, pressed or steamed as needed, and free of debris, holes, stains, or missing items. F. While working, members shall maintain a professional appearance (to include hairstyle, makeup, attire, and accessories) and are responsible for ensuring their appearance is appropriate for work in a public setting, and does not: 1. Offend the sense of public decency, 2. Advocate any non-Department related matter, 3. Interfere with their ability to perform assigned duties, 4. Interfere with another member’s ability to perform their assigned duties, 5. Bring discredit to the City of Tallahassee (COT), the Department, or the policing profession, or 6. Violate a standing order from a supervisor. G. Members shall follow their respective work unit’s appearance guidelines while abiding by the applicable sections of this written directive. H. The uniforms of sworn members and civilian members are clearly distinguishable from one another. I. Members shall abide by appearance guidelines in General Order 46 (Rules of Conduct) for attendance at court and quasi-judicial hearings. J. Supervisors who observe a member in non-compliance with the protocols of this written directive are expected to take prompt action to address and correct the policy violation. K. The Chief of Police is authorized to direct variations to standard appearance and uniform regulations (e.g., wearing of blue jeans on a certain day of the week, holiday attire). L. The Department will follow the protocols regarding religious attire and grooming practices in the workplace as outlined in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq. GENERAL ORDER 4 PAGE 4 of 27 APPEARANCE AND UNIFORM REGULATIONS JULY 3, 2025\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT II. GENERAL GUIDELINES – SWORN MEMBERS A. The traditional attire for sworn members is the standard uniform (see definition). B. The only attire authorized for an on-duty sworn member is the Class A, B, C or D Uniform. 1. Sworn members not required to wear the Class A, B or C Uniform for their work assignment shall dress in the Class D Uniform. 2. This subsection is not applicable to members assigned to the Special Investigations Section nor members assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau when wearing business attire. 3. Supervisors may authorize a member to dress in other attire