doc_1835963

WINDERMERE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: October 9, 202 5  Rescinds  Amends 9.4 (March 20, 2025) Number: 9.4 SUBJECT: Uniforms and Appearance Print Date: 10/09/25 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: October This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The personal appearance of employees must reflect the high professional standards of the Windermere Police Department. This General Order is established to provide employees with accepted requirements of dress and grooming. 2. Policy Pursuant to Town o f Windermere Personnel Rules and Regulations 8.17 Personnel Appearance/Dress Code , members of the Windermere Police Department should always be well -groomed and dressed in a manner suitable for the public service environment. Unless exempted because of a specific duty assignment, on -duty employees shall present a professional and businesslike appearance at all times. Investigative personnel may deviate from the provisions of this General Order as necessary to fulfill covert investigative needs. 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. 9.4, Page 2 B. Class “B” Uniform – Stretch rip -stop or polyester short sleeve shirt or long slee ve shirt without black tie with shoulder emblems and worn with cloth or metal badges and accessories, and trousers. C. Class “C” Uniform – Short -sleeve polo with embroidered badge and name with “POLICE” on back or stretch rip -stop shirt with shoulder emblems and worn with cloth or metal badge and name strip, and black shorts. D. Class “D” Uniform – Short or long -sleeved polo with official agency insignia and officer’s name/identifier and agency approved uniform pants, tactical pants, or slacks in the designated color. E. External Carrier – A garment designed to hold soft body armor and be worn over a uniform shirt. F. Readily Available – defined as being in the officer’s immediate possession, vehicle, or work location such that it can be donned without delay if operational circumstances require. 4. Procedures A. Jewelry 1. Jewelry worn by employees shall be conservative and not distractive, offensive, or detract from a professional image. 2. When in a Windermere Police Department uniform female employees are limited to one pair of earrings, in the lobes, which do not exceed ¼” in diameter. The earrings may not be hoop style or dangling. 3. Earrings shall not be worn by male employees. 4. Employees are prohibited from wearing any jewelry or other item in any pierced body part (other than ears) that could be visible to the public or other Town employees. This includes the tongue. B. Body Ornamentation 1. “Body Ornamentation” includes, but is not limited to, tattoos, brands, intentional body/tongue piercing or mutilation and dental ornamentation. 9.4, Page 3 This does not include the normal piercing of the earlobe for earrings as described above. 2. Body ornamentation that is obscene, sexually explicit , advocates or symbolizes sexual acts or conduct, or advocates or symbolizes prejudice or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or which may bring discredit upon the Windermere Police De partment or is likely to associate the employee with the agenda of any criminal or extremist group is not permitted. 3. Body ornamentation is prohibited on the head, neck, face , and hands, with the exception of one standard solid wedding style band tatt oo no more than ½ inch wide . 4. Employees shall not display any non -medically necessary adornments on their teeth. 5. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring their employees and reinforcing adherence to this policy . 6. The Chief of Police or designee shall have the final authority to determine if body ornamentation is deemed to be vulgar or offensive , or in violation of this policy . C. Clothing and Uniforms 1. General a. Employees will dress in uniform or plainclothes attir e according to their job assignment at all times when on duty. b. 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. c. Shoes will be clean and/or polished. 2. Unifo rms a. Employees assigned to uniformed positions are provided uniforms and related equipment at Windermere Police Department expense. Employees in non -uniformed positions are not provided 9.4, Page 4 with clothing but are issued uniforms and related equipment for use when uniformed duties are required. b. While wearing the u niform, employees shall maintain a military bearing and will avoid mannerisms such as slouching and resting with their hands in the ir pockets. c. Uniformed employees will also conform to other Windermere Police Department General Orders for any specific re gulations governing the wearing of uniforms. d. Baseball style hats are not to be worn with the Class A uniform (long sleeve/tie/honor ribbons