PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to communicate regulations and procedures for department issued uniforms and appearance.

POLICY

Department employees shall adhere to the uniform and appearance regulations as prescribed herein unless expressly authorized by the Chief of Police or their designee due to duties or other necessary reasons that require a departure from this policy. 

All supervisors are responsible for regularly monitoring their subordinates' uniforms and general appearance to ensure conformity with this policy. In doing so, supervisors shall use their discretion, emphasizing the importance of presenting a professional appearance. Supervisors who find a subordinate employee not in compliance with this policy shall take prompt and appropriate action to correct any noncompliance.

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

- All department employees who assignment or position requires the wearing of an uniform, shall be in proper uniform while on duty. All uniforms and accessories shall conform to the speculations as herein prescribed.

- Garments designed for cold or inclement weather shall not be mixed with garments designed for warm weather.

- Department employees shall keep their uniform and accessories clean, serviceable, and professional in appearance at all times.

- Department employees shall not wear on any part of their uniform any unauthorized badge, button, insignia, patch, accessory, or article of clothing.

- All department employees shall have a body cam that is attached to the outer most article of clothing.

- Department members are prohibited from wearing the full or partial department uniform or any identifying insignia to the department while off duty and not acting in official duties as a department employee.

PLAINCLOTHES REGULATIONS

When department employees, who by their position or duty assignment are not required to wear a uniform, shall while on-duty dress in professional business attire unless otherwise prescribed within this policy. They shall convey an appearance of professionalism, particularly when dealing with the public.

- Units who are in plainclothes attire are not allowed to conduct patrol or respond to calls for service. 

- If units in plainclothes switch to patrol or respond to calls for service, they must switch to a department standard uniform.

- While wearing plainclothes, it must be apparent that the unit is a police officer by an authorized police badge.

- Plainclothes attire for specialty units requires approval from the Chief of Police and Director of Law Enforcement

- Attire must be professional business. With the following items:

• Long sleeve button-up shirt

• Black or khaki business slacks

• Hip or chest badge

• Business casual footwear

• Firearm with holster

• Pair of handcuffs

• Radio

• Optional jacket and tie

- Current rank(s) and assignment(s) authorized to utilize plainclothes:

• Chief of Police

• Assistant Chief of Police

CLASS B UNIFORM

Class B Uniforms shall be worn on overall patrol, no matter what assignment, by all employees on patrol. Employees have the choice to either utilize the short sleeve or long sleeve variants. Class B Uniforms shall be assumed to be worn at all times unless otherwise stated by Command or explicitly stated in this policy.

CLASS C UNIFORM

Class C Uniforms shall be worn dependent on assignment. Class C Uniforms are designed for physical activities, special operations, or when employees are not on patrol nor requiring a formal attire. Occasions of when Class C Uniforms is appropriate include, but are not limited to:

• Training Exercises

  • Cadets and Probationary Officers attending Academy are required to wear Class B Uniforms. Field Training Officers and Academy Instructors are permitted to wear Class C Uniforms.

• Tactical Situations where light clothing is desired

• Assignments and tasks strictly confined in precincts

• Administrative employees located in precincts

• Department sponsored community events with limited media coverage.

  • If employees are tasked to remain at community events, such employees may wear Class C Uniforms. If any employee are tasked to remain but are at risk to respond to Calls for service or return back to general patrol, than such employees must wear Class B Uniforms during the duration of the event.

• Other less than formal or abnormal occasion where Command or High Command has authorized the use of Class C Uniforms.

DEPARTMENT APPROVED ACCESSORIES

As described above, department employees are given the freedom to choose from a select amount of approved accessories. Any accessory worn that is not approved is strictly prohibited.

HEADWEAR:

Officers are permitted to wear headwear with all uniforms except with the Class A Uniform. The beanie may only be worn during winter seasons while having the Cold Weather uniform.

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SERVICE STRIPES:

Officers are awarded one (1) strip for every three (3) months of service.

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PLATE CARRIER VESTS:

Officers are permitted to use the following vests during patrol and low risk calls for service.

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The following vests are reserved for high risk, tactical calls for service. 

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JEWELRY:

Jewelry shall not be worn on duty at any time, only exception is a wristwatch with a neutral colored band.

EYEWEAR:

Prescription eyewear may be worn with any uniform. Sunglasses may be worn with any uniform except for while wearing Class A Uniform. All sunglasses must be neutral colored and fashioned.

APPEARANCE STANDARDS

HAIR:

Hair must be a trimmed and neatly kept. Hair shall not pass uniform collar, with any long hair being pulled back and tied away from face.

The hair must present a professional appearance and shall, if the member is in uniform, not interfere with the proper wearing or alter the original shape of the uniform cap. 

Hair color for all sworn members, if dyed, should present a natural appearance. Colors such as green, blue, purple or any other color that does not occur naturally are prohibited. 

MUSTACHES:

Mustaches may be worn provided they do not extend above, beyond or below the normal hairline of the upper lip, are maintained in a neat, clean manner presenting a groomed appearance and do not expose the wearer to undue risk or hazard. Other designer facial hairstyles are strictly prohibited.

BEARDS:

Beards or Goatees may be worn provided that employees keep their facial hair neatly trimmed not to exceed 1/4 inch in length. Other designer facial hairstyles are strictly prohibited.

FINGERNAILS:

Fingernails must be kept clean and trimmed to a reasonable length so as not to interfere with the performance of duty. Nail polish must be one solid color.

MAKEUP:

Makeup of any kind is allowed to a reasonable amount. Color used must be a natural, one solid tone. Excessive makeup or body art is strictly prohibited.

TATTOOS:

Officers may not display tattoos and body are that are profane, demeaning, or contain messages that may be disruptive in the workplace, impact productivity, or give the appearance of a preference or bias to the public or other members of the LSPD.

Original SOP: 12/01/2024
Revised: