CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE GENERAL ORDER 214.00 Cancels: GO 214.00 Rev 1 Index as: July 10, 2013 Appearance, Personal Badge Body Piercing Equipment, Loss Hair Rank Insignia Tattoos Uniforms Uniforms, Personal use Uniforms, Seasonal Change 214.00 PURPOSE UNIFORMS AND APPEARANCE The purpose of this General Order is to establish policy and procedure concerning the issuance, wearing, replacement and specifications for uniform and equipment items as well as personal grooming standards for employees. 214.01 GENERAL POLICY A. All sworn employees, except as noted, will wear the regulation uniform while on duty. It is the policy of the Department to supply and replace the required uniforms and equipment, as well as regulate the appearance of uniformed employees. B. When the uniform is worn, whether on or off duty, it shall be worn with all appropriate equipment. Supervisors shall ensure that uniformed employees comply with this order through periodic inspections to be conducted at the discretion of the supervisor. While off duty performing a non-police function, the approved uniform may be worn when approval is received from the Chief. Items of uniform and equipment shall not be loaned to or borrowed by any person not a member of the Department, unless written permission is obtained from the Chief. C. Where a deviation from the regulations in this General Order is required in order to further a police purpose, written permission must be obtained from the respective unit commander. Bureau Commanders, when necessary, may authorize the wearing of clothing other than the uniform for personnel under their command. D. The Chief of Police and Bureau Commanders may dress appropriately for their assigned duties. Non-uniformed employees will meet acceptable "business like" standards of dress as established by the chief of police. E. All items of uniforms and equipment issued by the Department will remain the property of the City of Maryland Heights, and upon separation, the employee shall 1
return all issued items. Uniforms will be returned in a clean condition or the dirty uniforms will be cleaned and the cost will be deducted from the officer's final paycheck. If, for any reason, the employee is unable to return items of uniform or equipment, the department shall be reimbursed the replacement cost of the items. The replacement cost shall be the current cost of the item. F. The Supervisor of Support Services shall be responsible for ordering, issuing, storing and replacing the required uniforms and accessories, including the metal rank insignias, name plates, service stars and non-lethal weapons, for current employees. The Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police shall be responsible for ordering the required uniforms and accessories for newly hired police officers. The Executive Assistant will be responsible for the storage and/or assignment of all police department badges. The Department Armor shall be responsible for ordering, issuing, storing and replacing lethal weapons and ammunition. G. Weapons carried by employees while on duty or off duty shall be secured when not in use to prevent theft or improper handling. 214.02 ISSUE AND APPEARANCE REGULATIONS A. This section describes the uniforms, insignias, accessories and equipment issued, including the wearing of such items by employees. Standards for the proper wearing of uniforms will apply to all sworn members and uniformed civilian employees of the department. (26.1.1) 1. To provide a well-attired appearance, all uniforms are to be kept clean and pressed, with metal items and leather accessories polished. Items issued may not be painted, coated, engraved or altered in any manner. 2. Personally owned items in lieu of issued items shall conform to specifications adopted by the Department. 3. Certified full time commissioned employees, on or off duty, shall have the option to carry a Department approved firearm in compliance with Missouri State Statutes. If the commissioned officer elects to carry a firearm off duty he shall be required to carry a Maryland Heights Police Badge and Department issued identification card. B. Field Uniform Definitions: Class A Shirt is traditional dress style and is worn with metal badge, name tag and accoutrements Pants are traditional with blue stripe down leg 2
Class B Shirt is polo style with badge and name tag of cloth patch style Pants are cargo style, have exterior pocket and no stripe 1. Each commissioned employee will be issued the summer and winter uniforms comprised of the following: a. Patrol Officers four trousers (three Class B cargo style and one Class A dress) five Class A long sleeve shirts three Class A short sleeve shirts two Class B short sleeve polo shirts one ballistic vest carrier (if requested by officer) one cruiser jacket one light weight jacket two ties one service cap one MHPD baseball cap one winter trooper hat one winter MHPD stocking cap b. Sergeants four trousers (three Class B cargo style and one Class A dress) five Class A long sleeve shirts five Class A short sleeve shirts one cruiser jacket one light weight jacket two ties one service cap one MHPD baseball cap one winter trooper hat one winter MHPD stocking cap c. Commanders four Class A dress trousers five Class A long sleeve shirts five Class A short sleeve shirts one ballistic vest carrier one cruiser jacket one light weight jacket one Class A dress jacket 3
two ties one service cap one baseball cap 2. All commissioned officers will be issued the following equipment: one reversible raincoat with reversible rain cap cover one semi-automatic pistol with three magazines and 46 rounds of duty ammunition two name plates one flashlight one ticket book holder one pepper mace and holder one ASP TM collapsible baton and holder one Taser one pair of handcuffs one complete set of leather as specified one protective body armor vest and extra cover one breast badge and one cap badge. 2. The field uniform issue shall be maintained at a minimum quality until separation from employment. Additional items may be issued to employees as required for special duty, i.e. Bicycle Patrol uniforms, Police Motorcycle uniforms and equipment. C. Field Uniform Descriptions 1. Shirts: Sergeants and patrol officers shirts will be navy blue. Uniformed sergeants will wear the Class A blue shirt with both the summer and winter uniforms. The blue polo shirt is not authorized for Sergeants. Uniformed lieutenants or above shall wear Class A white shirts with both the summer and winter uniforms. The white polo shirt is not authorized for lieutenants and above. Bicycle patrol is exempt or as specified for assignment. a. Winter: Shirts will be long sleeve Class A with cuffs buttoned. The shirt will be worn with a tie or open collar for sergeants and patrol officers only. When worn open collar, a department approved dark navy blue crew neck under shirt must be worn. The collar of the long sleeve shirt must be worn in a stand up position and not flat as the short sleeve shirt is worn. b. Summer: Short sleeve Class A or Class B polo. The dark blue short sleeve shirt and polo must be worn with a department approved dark navy blue crew neck under shirt. Those personnel authorized the wear of white shirts must wear a white crew neck undershirt. Long sleeve shirts, with tie, may be worn during the summer for special occasions. 4
2. Accoutrements: On both summer and winter uniforms, sergeants and above shall wear gold tone badges, metal hatbands, uniform buttons, and rank insignia. 3. Trousers: Class A Dress trousers will be navy blue, polyester wash and wear with straight legs, without cuffs and will have the appropriate contrasting stripe on the outside leg seams. Dress trousers are to be worn by command rank officers and officers in administrative positions, as well as all other officers at formal or ceremonial occasions unless otherwise directed by the Chief of Police. Normal duty trousers for BFO patrol officers and sergeants will be the Class B navy blue cargo style pants without the stripe. Patrol officers and sergeants may wear either Class A or Class B style trouser. 4. Headgear: Headgear for police officers will be the department issue round service cap with visor accommodating a cap badge or the "baseball" type cap. The wearing of the Department cap by uniformed commissioned employees is recommended when directing traffic or on special occasions or assignments so designated by the Chief of Police, commanding officer or supervisor. The wearing of the cap is optional at all other times, but the cap must be accessible while in uniform in a police vehicle. A navy blue (trooper fur) cap or MHPD stocking cap may be worn in very cold weather. The department issue baseball cap is to be worn as an option with the short sleeve shirt only. The caps may also be approved for special details. Watch commanders are authorized to approve the wearing of the cap under the above weather conditions and will have the discretion of determining the daily high temperature. 5. Neckwear: When a tie is worn with the Class A long sleeve shirt it will be black having a breakaway feature. 6. Jackets: Light weight jackets and coats will be navy blue. The style will be a waist length windbreaker jacket, reversible with navy blue on one side and reflective green on the other side. Full length front zipper, shoulder epaulets, a badge tab above left breast pocket and department patch centered one half inch below the seam on each shoulder. Sergeants will wear yellow chevrons sewn on below each patch. All exposed buttons will bear the letter "P" and will be silver for police officers and gold for sergeants and above. Heavier winter jackets will follow the same form and style but will not be reversible. Department issued leather jackets may be worn with the approval of the Chief of Police. 7. Rain Gear: Rain gear will consist of a navy full-length raincoat with reversible reflective green backing. Rain cover for the uniform hat will be of navy blue nylon matching the raincoat. 8. Footwear: Shoes will be black, smooth, highly shined leather or clarino, without ornamentation. Police officers may wear either low quarter or 5
military style shoes or boots. Trouser legs will be worn on the outside of the boot. Officers assigned to motorcycle duty will wear the English field or riding style motorcycle boot. The trouser legs will be worn inside the boot. Black or navy blue socks will be worn when not wearing boots. Officers assigned to the bicycle patrol will wear white or black socks. 9. Gloves: Gloves will be black leather, lined or unlined. Police officers may be required to wear white cotton dress gloves on special occasions, e.g., parades, funerals, etc. 10. Optional Clothing: Department personnel have the option to wear the navy blue pull over sweater with the long sleeve shirt only. The sweater must have the sewn on badge if worn. A navy blue or black, wool neck scarf or sweater vest may be worn as part of the uniform in extremely cold weather. Unique and specialized uniforms may be worn at the direction of the Chief of Police. Examples are the one-piece jump suit for investigations and ID officers, bicycle patrol lightweight shirts and shoes and lightweight shirts for motorcycle officers. 11. Undershirts: If any part of the shirt is visible it must be crew neck in style. Officers must purchase their own undershirts. Only those undershirts approved by the department may be worn. The department will announce the manufacturer, style and color of the undershirts that is authorized. 12. Department badge and shoulder patch: Uniformed officers will wear the official department badge when in uniform. The official department patch will be worn on both sleeves of all uniform shirts. 13. Tie bar or tie tack: A tie bar or tie tack may be worn with the uniform. The device will be of silver metal for patrolmen and gold metal for sergeants and above. The bar or tack will be plain or if decorated, the decoration will consist of only conservative or police related insignia or city logo. 14. Name tag: The name tag will be silver colored metal for patrolmen and gold colored metal for sergeants and above. The name tag will be worn on both the uniform shirt and jacket. The name tag will be worn on uniform shirts and jackets centered on the right pocket with the top of the tag aligned with the top seam of the pocket. (see diagram in GO 228.00 Awards and Recognition) 15. Service stars: Each service star will indicate five (5) years of police service. When worn, the service stars will be centered above the nametag and above any breast bars, with the bottom of the stars aligned with the top edge of the nametag. (see diagram in GO 228.00 Awards and Recognition) Police officers will wear silver metal and sergeants and above will wear gold metal service stars. 6
16. Service awards: When worn, breast bar awards for valor, meritorious service, military service or schools will be worn centered, and directly above the right top breast pocket seam. Breast bars will be aligned three to a row. If four or more breast bars are worn, a second tier will be started. (see diagram in GO 228.00 Awards and Recognition) Breast bars will be displayed with the highest award to the observers top left and descending left to right in order of precedence. 17. Other insignia: When authorized for wear, specialty badges will be worn for CRU and Motorcycle officers. Specialty badges will be worn above and centered over service stars. (see diagram in GO 228.00 Awards and Recognition) If one or more specialty badge is earned, only one may be worn on the uniform. 18. Whistle and Chain: The wearing of the whistle and chain, as part of the uniform will be optional. All officers will have a whistle in their possession when on duty. Patrolmen will wear a silver metal whistle chain and sergeants and above will wear gold metal chains. The whistle will be a standard silver or gold police whistle on a silver or gold chain. 19. Necklaces will either not be worn or will be concealed under clothing when personnel are in uniform. D. Attire for Dispatch and Record Room Personnel 1. Dispatchers and Record Room personnel will wear the department issued polo style shirts. These shirts come in a variety of colors and bear the words Maryland Heights Police and either Communications or Record Room over the left breast area. 2 Dispatchers and Record Room personnel are issued five short sleeve polo style shirts for summer wear and five long sleeve polo style shirts for winter wear. 3. A department issued sweater bearing the words Maryland Heights Police and either Communications or Record Room may also be worn by Dispatchers and Record Room personnel as needed. 4. Dispatchers and Record Room personnel will furnish their own pants, belt and shoes. These items will meet the acceptable "business like" standards of dress for civilian employees that are established by city policy. 214.03 LEATHER EQUIPMENT Leatherwear for uniformed officers will be black basket weave or special nylon construction for officers assigned to bicycle patrol. They will consist of the following: equipment belt 7
will be 2 1/4 inches wide with Velcro closure; holsters will be of border patrol style with the adjustable thumb break safety strap; handcuff case will have the Velcro closure; nightsticks will be the department issue ASP TM baton carried in a department issue holder; ammunition pouches will be double containers, each compartment will accommodate one clip and the covers will have Velcro or snap closures. 214.04 RANK INSIGNIA, BADGES, ETC. Rank insignias shall be issued and worn by uniformed officers in the following manner: A. Sergeant - Chevrons. Chevrons indicating the rank of sergeant shall be worn on both sleeves with the point of the top chevron one half inch beneath the shoulder patch, centered on the sleeves of the uniform shirt and jacket. Gold chevron pins shall be worn on the collars of both summer and winter shirts. B. Lieutenant - Gold bar, two sets (one small, one large). The small gold bars will be worn on the collars of both the summer and winter shirts centered one half inch from the collars leading edge. The large gold bars will be worn on the epaulets of coats, centered one half inch from the shoulder seam. The dress coat will have a single one half inch gold braid on each sleeve three inches from the cuff. C. Captain - Two gold bars, connected two sets (one small, one large). The small gold bars will be worn on the collars of both the summer and winter shirts centered one half inch from the collars leading edge. The large gold bars will be worn on the epaulets of coats, centered one half inch from the shoulder seam. The dress coat will have two half-inch gold braids on each sleeve three inches from the cuff. D. Major - Gold oak leaf, two sets (one small, one large). The small gold oak leafs will be worn on the collars of both the summer and winter shirts centered one half inch from the collars leading edge. The large oak leafs will be worn on the epaulets of coats, centered one half inch from the shoulder seam. The dress coat will have three half-inch gold braids on each sleeve three inches from the cuff. E. Colonel - Gold eagle, two sets (one small, one large). The small eagles will be worn on the collars of both the summer and winter shirts centered one half inch from the collars leading edge. The large eagles will be worn on the epaulets of coats, centered one half inch from the shoulder seam. The dress coat will have four half-inch gold braids on each sleeve three inches from the cuff. 214.05 SEASONAL CHANGES Seasonal changes in the uniform of the day for all uniformed employees, unless directed otherwise by an immediate supervisor, shall be as follows: A. Effective with the day watch on the 1st day of April, and continuing through the third watch on the 15th day of May, all uniformed employees shall have the option of 8
wearing either the summer Class A/B or winter Class A uniform with or without tie as authorized. If the summer Class A short sleeve shirt is worn, a jacket or coat may be worn over it. Jackets and coats are not authorized to be worn with the Class B polo shirt. B. Effective on the day watch on the 16th of May and for each watch thereafter, the summer uniform shall be the uniform of the day for all uniformed personnel. The optional Class B summer polo shirt shall only be authorized June 1 - August 31 unless directed by the Chief of Police. C. Effective with the day watch on the 15th day of September, and continuing through the third watch on the 15th of October, all uniformed employees shall have the option of wearing either the summer Class A or winter Class A uniform with or without tie as authorized. If the summer Class A short sleeve shirt is worn, a coat may be worn over it. D. Effective with the day watch on the 16th of October and each watch thereafter, the uniform of the day for all uniformed personnel shall be the Class A winter uniform with or without tie as authorized. Class A or Class B pants as authorized. E. Each unit commander has the discretion to set the Uniform of the Day depending on weather conditions and special circumstances. 214.06 PERSONAL USE OF DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS Only department issued or approved uniforms and equipment will be worn. Department personnel will not use department uniforms and equipment for personal use when not acting in a police capacity except during approved secondary employment. A. Use of the Department firearm as an off-duty weapon is permitted for those officers who desire to carry an off-duty firearm. B. The wearing of any piece of issued department uniform clothing, when not being worn as a part of a complete duty uniform during off-duty hours, is not permitted. 214.07 REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT Replacement of uniforms, equipment or accessories shall be made by submitting a Uniform / Equipment Request (Form 054) to the Support Services supervisor after approval from the employee's supervisor. The worn or damaged item must be brought to Support Services supervisor along with the request form. The Support Services supervisor must inspect the item and verify that the replacement is necessary. The Support Services supervisor will replace the worn or damaged item by ordering the replacement item or by finding a suitable replacement in the department uniform storage room. If the replacement is determined to be necessitated by normal use, or acceptable loss, damage, or destruction as required in the 9
performance of duty, no further action is necessary. If the replacement is due to neglect, carelessness or misuse, the watch commander shall be notified. 214.08 INSPECTION Watch commanders will periodically require personnel to produce all Department issued property for inspection to check for proper maintenance and serviceability. Watch Commanders will ensure conformity with grooming standards through daily inspection of personnel on duty. Any personnel found not in conformity may be relieved of duty for that particular shift and disciplinary action instituted against the individual. 214.09 GROOMING Every member and employee, while on duty, unless otherwise directed by his commanding officer, will be well groomed and physically clean. The clothing and shoes will be clean, properly cared for and conform to the rules and regulations of the department. In uniform, personnel will wear their hair in a style conducive to the correct wearing of the uniform. A. Male Officers: Hair will be neat, clean and combed and cut so as not to protrude over the ears. Hair at the nape of the neck will be cut so as not to touch or extend over the collar when the head is held in the position of attention. Hair in front will not fall below the eyebrows. Hair will be groomed so as not to bush out or curl up when wearing the uniform hat. 1. Sideburns will not extend past the middle of the ear. They will be neatly trimmed at all times. Bushy or mutton chop style sideburns are not permitted. 2. Mustaches will be neatly trimmed and will not extend below the upper lip line and will not extend beyond the corners of the mouth. Handlebar and fu manchu style mustaches and beards are not permitted. B. Female Officers: Hair must be neat, clean and combed. It will not be worn longer than the top of the shirt collar at the back of the neck while the officer is standing at the position of attention. The bulk or length will not interfere with the wearing of all standard headgear. Plain-clothes female officers will be allowed to wear their hair longer than the top of their shoulders. Uniformed female officers are required to pin their hair up in a secure position, if it extends farther than permitted. Hair on the front of the head will not extend below the horizontal middle of the forehead. The hair will not present a bunched or flared-out appearance at the back or sides of the head when headgear is worn. C. Tattoos and Body Piercings: 1. Tattoos are allowed so long as they are not visible while in uniform. Officers having visible tattoos prior to the June 25, 2010 revision of this General Order will be exempt. 10
2. For safety purposes, jewelry intended to be worn in conjunction with a body piercing and which is visible while in police uniform, to include earrings, will not be permitted. By order of: CALEA Standard: 26.1.1 MPCCF Certification: 15.4 COLONEL WILLIAM CARSON Chief of Police Distribution: All Department Personnel 11