GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
POLICY / PROCEDURE
GENERAL

SUBJECT: UNIFORMS, EQUIPMENT AND APPEARANCE

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 01, 2004
Revised December15, 2004

POLICY: To insure consistency and professionalism in our appearance, all personnel of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office shall adhere to specific regulations regarding the appropriate attire and appearance while on duty or performing functions related to the Sheriff’s Office. All personnel shall also adhere to the proper usage and carrying of specific equipment necessary for their job function.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to provide employees with guidelines outlining the appropriate and professional wear of the Sheriff’s Office uniform, proper dress attire required for non-uniformed employees, and appropriate wear of specific equipment.

METHOD:
Basic Uniform: Leather gear and handguns will be provided by employees and will meet specifications set forth by the Sheriff’s Office. Unauthorized equipment, alterations or modifications to the uniform or equipment are not authorized. A clean, pressed uniform or civilian attire is essential to the professional image of the Sheriff’s Office.

Administration (Non-sworn) and Civil: Authorized and issued uniform or business attire including nametag shall be worn at all times while on duty.

Detention: All detention deputies will wear the uniform as issued, or provided by the employee, consisting of: shirt, pants, footwear, collar brass, badge, nametag, body armor and required duty gear and equipment.
• Shirts: Long sleeve shirts shall be worn with a black t-shirt or black turtleneck, either mock or full. Long sleeve shirts shall not be rolled up (exception C.E.R.T). Short sleeve shirts shall only be worn with a black t-shirt.
Uniform shirts shall not be worn to and from work. Personnel will change into uniform shirts upon arrival of duty.
• Pants: Issued pants shall not be bloused (exception C.E.R.T.).
• Hats: Wearing of department issued hats is optional. No other hats are authorized.
• Footwear: Either a boot or soft shoe may be worn provided it is black and polishable.
• Duty Gear: Belt will be black, basket weave and consist of leather or simulated leather material (exception C.E.R.T. will be allowed to wear a nylon constructed belt).
• Equipment: All duty belt equipment holders (i.e., holster, handcuff case, etc.,) will be black basket weave and consist of leather or simulated leather material. Equipment worn on belt will be a minimum of: handcuffs, duress alarm, radio and CPR mask. The Jail Commander or designee will approve all other items.
• Additional items: Additional uniform items including, but not limited to: coat, windbreaker and sweater may be worn as issued, or approved for personal purchase, by the Sheriff.


Patrol: All patrol deputies will wear the uniform as issued, consisting of shirt, pants, footwear, collar brass, badge, nametag, body armor and required duty gear and equipment.
• Shirts: Long sleeve shirts shall be worn with a black t-shirt or black turtleneck, either mock or full. Long sleeve shirts shall not be rolled up. Short sleeve shirts shall only be worn with a black t-shirt.
• Pants: Issued pants shall not be bloused.
• Hats: Wearing of department issued hats is optional. No other hats are authorized.
• Footwear: Either a boot or soft shoe may be worn provided it is black and polishable.
• Duty Gear: Belt will be black, basket weave and consist of leather or simulated leather material.
• Equipment: All duty belt equipment holders (i.e., holster, handcuff case, etc.,) will be black basket weave and consist of leather or simulated leather material. Minimum equipment to be worn will consist of: handgun and holster, handcuffs, radio, a minimum of one intermediate weapon (pepper spray, Taser, impact weapon, etc.), magazine pouch. Additional equipment may be worn with the approval of the Sheriff.
• Additional items: Additional uniform items including, but not limited to: coat, windbreaker, sweater and foul weather gear may be worn as issued, or approved for personal purchase, by the Sheriff.
• Extreme Weather: Exceptions to the basic uniform will be allowed for extreme weather conditions.


Investigations: All Deputies assigned to investigations shall wear acceptable business attire while in the Sheriff’s Office or in contact with the public. Attire for special assignments shall be permissible wear as needed.
• Equipment: Investigators shall wear, at a minimum, handgun and holster, handcuffs, radio and magazine pouch. Additional equipment or items worn for special assignments shall be worn as needed.


Personal Appearance: While in Uniform or on Duty, all members of the Sheriff’s Office will present a professional appearance consistent with accepted social norms. Only specialized assignments with the approval of a supervisor are exempt from the following:
• All personnel will insure that their uniform or attire is neat, clean and will present themselves as to reflect credit upon themselves and the Sheriff’s Office, at all times.
• No personnel will wear nose rings, visible body piercing or rings, or tongue rings/studs.
• Hair for male personnel will be neatly trimmed in the square or blocked style and somewhat tapered to the neck. Hair will not touch the collar of the uniform shirt.
• Facial hair will neat and trimmed.
• Hair for female personnel will be neat and shall not be worn longer than six inches from the bottom collar. If the hair is longer it will be secured to the back of the head (not required for administration personnel).
• Wearing of jewelry while in uniform is limited to the following exceptions: wristwatch, bracelet, a maximum of two rings, a necklace (not visible) and a medical identification bracelet if applicable. Male personnel shall not wear earrings or posts of any kind. Female personnel may wear two pair of stud type earrings in the lobe area. Administrative personnel may wear additional jewelry provided that they maintain a professional appearance.
• Tattoos shall be covered if they display obscene, subversive or lewd material.
• All personnel will ensure good personal hygiene habits to be maintained at all times.


Court Attire: While appearing or testifying in any hearing, court or administrative procedure, all personnel shall wear either the issued uniform or business attire consisting of:
• Males: Coat, tie, slacks and appropriate shoes.
• Females: Slacks, shirt, suit, dress or skirt with appropriate shoes.


Separation from Employment: Upon an employee’s separation from employment with the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, ALL issued equipment shall be immediately returned. Failure to comply may result in a delay in the issuance of a final paycheck and may also result in the filing of criminal charges.
 

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