HomeMy WebLinkAbout1024 Uniforms and Civilian AttireIowa City Police Department
Policy Manual
Uniforms and Civilian Attire
Effective Date: 09/30/2024
Revised Date:
Issuing Authority:
Chief Dustin Liston
1024.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines for Iowa City Police Department -authorized uniforms and civilian
attire regulations. It is established to ensure that uniformed members will be readily identifiable to
the public through the proper use and wearing of department uniforms, and that the appearance
of members who wear civilian attire reflects favorably on the Department.
This policy addresses the wearing and maintenance of department uniforms, accessories,
insignia, patches and badge; the requirements for members who wear civilian attire; and the
authorized use of optional equipment and accessories by members of the Department.
Other related topics are addressed in the Badges, Patches and Identification, Department -Owned
and Personal Property, and Personal Appearance Standards policies.
1024.2 POLICY
The Iowa City Police Department will provide uniforms for all employees who are required to wear
them in the manner, quantity and frequency agreed upon in the respective employee group's
collective bargaining agreement. The Department may provide other department members with
uniforms at the direction of the Chief of Police.
All uniforms and equipment issued to department members shall be returned to the Department
upon termination or resignation.
1024.3 UNIFORMS
The Chief of Police or the authorized designee shall maintain and update uniform and equipment
specifications.. Uniforms shall be worn as described therein and as specified in this policy.
The following shall apply to those assigned to wear department -issued uniforms:
(a) Uniforms and equipment shall be maintained in a serviceable condition and shall
be ready at all times for immediate use. Uniforms shall be neat, clean and appear
professionally pressed.
(b) Officers in a non -uniformed assignment shall possess and maintain at all times at
the police department a serviceable uniform and the necessary equipment to perform
uniformed field duty.
(c) Uniforms shall be worn in compliance with any applicable department specifications.
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(d) Members shall wear only the uniforms and equipment specified for their ranks and
assignments.
(e) Civilian attire shall not be worn in combination with any distinguishable part of a
uniform.
(f) Uniforms are only to be worn while on -duty, for court, at official department functions
or events, while in transit to or from work, or when authorized by the Chief of Police
or the authorized designee.
1. When the uniform is worn while in transit, a non -uniform outer garment shall be
worn over the uniform shirt to avoid bringing attention to the member while he/
she is off -duty.
(g) Members are not to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages while wearing any part of
department -issued uniforms, including the uniform pants.
(h) All supervisors will perform periodic inspections of members under their commands
to ensure conformance to this policy.
1024.3.1 ACCESSORIES
Members shall adhere to the following when wearing department uniforms:
(a) Mirrored sunglasses will not be worn.
(b) Jewelry shall be in accordance with the specifications in the Personal Appearance
Standards Policy.
(c) Black leg or arm sleeves to cover tattoos, if desired or required.
(d) Hairbands, headbands, barrettes, and other accessories designed to hold or cover the
hair shall be black, dark blue/navy, or brown/tan.
(e) Any accessory not issued by the Department shall be approved by the Chief of Police
and shall not be worn until approved.
1024.3.2 INSIGNIA, PATCHES AND BADGE
Only the following elements may be affixed to department uniforms unless an exception is
authorized by the Chief of Police:
(a) Shoulder patch - The authorized shoulder patch supplied by the Department shall be
machine stitched to the sleeves of all uniform shirts and jackets.
(b) Badge - The department -issued metal badge, or an authorized sewn -on cloth replica,
must be worn and visible at all times while in uniform.
(c) Nameplate - The regulation nameplate, or an authorized sewn -on cloth nameplate,
shall be worn at all times while in uniform.
1. When a jacket is worn, the nameplate, or an authorized sewn -on cloth
nameplate, shall be affixed to the jacket in the same manner as the uniform.
(d) Rank insignia - The designated insignia indicating the member's rank must be worn
at all times while in uniform.
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(e) Service insignia - The designated insignia indicating the member's length of service
may be worn on long -sleeve shirts and jackets. The insignia shall be machine stitched
to the left sleeve of the uniform.
(f) Assignment insignias - Assignment insignias (e.g., Special Response Team SRT,
Field Training Officer (FTO)) may be worn as designated by the Chief of Police.
(g) American flag pin - An American flag pin may be worn, centered above the nameplate.
(h) Award/commendation insignia - Insignia representing an award or commendation
received under the Commendations and Awards Policy, or other recognition
authorized by the Chief of Police, may be worn, centered above the nameplate. If more
than one award is worn, or an American flag pin is worn, the insignia shall be equally
spaced in one or two horizontal rows centered above the nameplate in a manner that
provides a balanced appearance.
1024.3.3 MOURNING BAND
Uniformed members shall wear a black mourning band across the department badge whenever
a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty or as directed by the Chief of Police. The
following mourning periods will be observed:
(a) Iowa City Police Department officer - From the time of death until midnight on the 14th
day after the death.
(b) An officer from this or an adjacent county - From the time of death until midnight on
the day of the funeral.
(c) Funeral attendee - While attending the funeral of an out -of -region fallen officer.
(d) National Peace Officers' Memorial Day (May 15) - From 0001 hours until 2359 hours.
(e) As directed by the Chief of Police.
1024.4 UNIFORM CLASSES
The Chief of Police or the authorized designee shall determine the uniform to be worn by each
department member or any deviations that may be authorized.
Uniforms are classified as follows:
(a) Class A - Full dress uniform to be worn by designated department members on special
occasions, such as funerals, graduations, ceremonies, or as directed by the Chief of
Police or the authorized designee.
(b) Class B - Standard issue uniform to be worn daily by designated department members.
(c) Specialized assignment - Specific uniforms to be worn by members in special
assignments or divisions.
1024.4.1 CLASS A UNIFORM
The Class A uniform consists of the following:
(a) Dress hat
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(b) Long -sleeve shirt
(c) Tie tack or tie bar
(d) Trousers or skirt
(e) Black belt
1. Belts shall be equipped as needed for the member's assignment.
(f) Dark blue or black socks
1. Natural colored hose must be worn with the skirt.
(g) Black polished dress shoes or boots
1024.4.2 CLASS B UNIFORM
The Class B uniform consists of the following:
(a) Long- or short -sleeve shirt with the collar open and no tie
1. A black or white crew neck t-shirt must be worn under the uniform shirt.
2. All shirt buttons must remain buttoned except for the top button at the neck.
3. Long sleeves must be buttoned at the cuff.
(b) Long or Short -sleeve Armorskin base shirt
1. Armorskin base shirt shall only be worn with the outer vest carrier
(c) Long- or short -sleeve polo shirt
1. Short sleeve polos shall not be worn over a long -sleeve shirt.
(d) "Commando" style sweater
(e) Trousers or cargo pants
(f) Shorts
1. Shall be worn with approved shoes
2. Shall be worn with short -sleeve Armorskin shirt or short -sleeve polo shirt
(g) Black belt
1. Belts shall be equipped as needed for the member's assignment.
(h) Dark blue or black socks
(i) Black polished dress shoes
1. Approved black unpolished shoes may be worn.
2.
3. Decorative stitching or adornment is not permitted.
(j) Weather -appropriate items
1. Department issued stocking/trooper cap or approved stocking caps and ear
coverings.
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2. Department issued baseball cap
3. Dark blue or black black turtleneck may be worn under the long -sleeve uniform
shirt
4. Jacket
5. Rain gear
6. Winter gloves
7. Approved boots and face coverings may be worn during inclement weather.
1024.4.3 SPECIALIZED ASSIGNMENT UNIFORM
The Chief of Police or the authorized designee may authorize certain uniforms to be worn by
members in specialized assignments, such as canine handlers, the (SRT), bicycle patrol, motor
officers and other specific assignments.
1024.5 CIVILIAN ATTIRE
There are assignments within the Department that do not require a uniform because recognition
and authority are not essential to their functions. There are also assignments for which civilian
attire is necessary.
(a) Civilian attire shall fit properly, be clean and free of stains, and not be damaged or
excessively worn.
(b) Members assigned to administrative, investigative and support positions shall wear
business -appropriate clothing that is conservative in style.
(c) Variations from this policy are allowed at the discretion of the Chief of Police or the
authorized designee when the member's assignment or current task is not conducive
to wearing such clothing.
(d) No item of civilian attire may be worn while on -duty that would adversely affect the
reputation of the Iowa City Police Department or the morale of the members.
(e) The following items shall not be worn while on -duty or when representing the
Department in any official capacity:
1. Clothing that reveals cleavage, the back, chest, stomach or buttocks
2. Exposed undergarments
3. Swimsuits, tank tops, tube tops or halter tops
4. Sweatpants
5. Spandex -type pants or transparent clothing
6. Athletic shorts
7. Flip-flops
8. Clothing, buttons or pins displaying political, racial, sexual, discriminatory, gang -
related or obscene language
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1024.6 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Any items that are allowed by the Iowa City Police Department but that have been identified as
optional shall be purchased entirely at the expense of the member. No part of the purchase cost
shall be offset by the department.
Maintenance of optional items shall be the financial responsibility of the purchasing member (e.g.,
repairs due to normal wear and tear).
Replacement of items listed in this policy as optional shall be managed as follows:
(a) When the item is no longer functional because of normal wear and tear, the member
bears the full cost of replacement.
(b) When the item is no longer functional because of damage in the course of the
member's duties, it shall be replaced in accordance with the Department -Owned and
Personal Property Policy.
1024.7 UNAUTHORIZED UNIFORMS, EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES
Iowa City Police Department members may not wear any uniform item, accessory or attachment
unless specifically authorized by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee.
Department members may not use or carry any safety item, tool or other piece of equipment unless
specifically authorized by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee.
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