Clothing and Equipment Provisions
Policy text
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Source file: 4.20 Clothing and Equipment Provisions.pdf. Policy dates appear on the original cover. Page links use the PDF's page order.
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Policy & Procedures No. 4.20
Subject:
Clothing and Equipment Provisions
Issuing Authority: Effective Date: Review Date:
Chief of Police 01/18/2015 06/15/2023
References:
Review
Revision 12/20/19
Reissued 2/06/2017
Dates: 2/25/2020
CALEA STANDARDS
16.3.4 17.5.2 41.3.4
17.5.1 22.2.5
_____________________________________________________________
Purpose The purpose of this directive is to describe the provision of clothing and
equipment used by Canton Police Department employees in performing law
enforcement and other essential functions.
This directive applies to all employees; sworn, non-sworn, full-time, paid and not
paid. Additional directives cross-reference and expand upon this topic, in order to
provide a series of more comprehensive guidelines relating to authorized uniforms
and equipment.
Policy Members of the department shall maintain their uniforms, required civilian attire,
and personal appearance to the highest standards possible, unless otherwise
authorized by a supervisor. Non-compliance with the provisions of this directive
is prohibited.
Uniform and Equipment Allowances 22.2.5 C
A uniform and equipment allowance shall be provided, per the provisions of
collective bargaining agreements, to affected department personnel.
Refer to current contract agreements between the affected Canton Police
Department personnel and the Town of Canton for additional policy regarding
uniform allowances.
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Replacement of Uniform Components and Equipment
Personnel shall use their contractual uniform and equipment allowance to replace
uniform parts or equipment which are no longer in compliance, except that: 41.3.4
(1)
- Items damaged in the performance of duties (i.e. a suspect destroys a
uniform hat during a struggle); and not replaced by an order of
restitution; the department may replace the item, at the discretion of
the Chief.
Surrender of Uniforms, Component and Equipment 16.3.4 17.5.1 22.2.5 D
When a department member is terminated, resigns, or retires (no longer working
details), the employee shall be required to return the inventory of uniforms,
components and equipment that was issued upon initial employment; and shall be
required to return other items issued during the course of employment. All
returned items are to be turned in to the Deputy Chief where they will be
inspected. Retirees who remain active working details may maintain the
equipment until separation.
Pre-owned department property may be reissued if it is in good working
condition. The Deputy Chief will handle the reissuance of equipment and
property other than firearms and chemical spray. That will be handled by the
Lieutenant in charge of firearms. The Deputy Chief and Lieutenant will maintain
a current list of items returned, inspected and reissued. The following list, though
not inclusive, are some items that may be reissued:
- Firearm - Radio
- Ammunition and holders - Radio Holder
- Holster - Two radio batteries
- Chemical Spray and holder - Rain coat
- 2 Badges for garments - ACO’s Windbreaker
- Baton - Crossing Guard’s Windbreaker
- Handcuffs - Crossing Guard’s Raincoat
- Gun Belt - Crossing Guard’s Reflective Vest
- Hat badge - Crossing Guard’s Hand-held Signs
Retirees shall be presented with a retirement badge and police identification card
with the word “Retired” inscribed upon it, including reference to the provisions of
the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (and LEOSA Improvements
Act 2010).
Uniform Classes and Components
Uniform classes and components have been revised to delineate among different
uniforms according to function, and to provide distinctive work apparel for
particular types of work assignments. 41.3.4 (1)
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The intent is to provide department members with a tool to readily identify the
appropriate uniform and work apparel for a particular task, and to provide clear
guidance on which authorized uniform, equipment and/or component should be
worn for those tasks.
Uniform Classes Overview
a. Formal Dress Uniform
b. Standard Duty Uniform
c. Field Uniform
d. Work Uniform
e. Civilian Attire
a. Formal Dress Uniform
Use: Worn by police officers
Occasions for wear: For ceremonial and formal occasions
b. Standard Duty Uniform 22.2.5 E
A variety of uniforms and options are available to department personnel,
dependent upon their assignment, weather conditions, etc. However, the uniform
worn by police offices, retirees and reserve intermittent officers for routine
operations shall normally be the Standard Duty Uniform. 41.3.4 (1)
Use: Worn by sworn and ancillary department members in public contact
positions and other persons stipulated by the Chief of Police. This is the primary
uniform worn by police officers, retired officers and reserve intermittent officers.
Occasions for Wear: Routine, daily activities involving a high degree of public
contact, or supervision of department members in public contact. Examples
include:
- Command staff, while:
o Performing enforcement duties, in scheduled operations and
situations;
o Assigned to field duties;
- Police personnel of all ranks, while:
o Assigned to patrol operations, unless otherwise exempted;
o IE: plainclothes officers, detectives, special duty assignments,
etc.;
- Personnel assigned to administrative duties, with the approval of the
Supervisor in charge;
- Police supervisors assigned to station duties;
- Police personnel performing community policing duties, unless
otherwise exempted by a supervisor;
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- Police personnel attending an official function unless otherwise
specified;
- Police personnel assigned to paid or voluntary details at which their
primary task is of a security/policing function, unless a specific
“detail” uniform is authorized;
- Police personnel attending training sessions at which a uniform is
required.
Requirement: All sworn police personnel shall maintain, at all times, a
serviceable Standard Duty Uniform and the necessary equipment to perform
uniformed patrol duties.
c. Field Uniform
Use: Worn by department members engaged in activities or situations where the
Standard Duty Uniform would be impractical or inappropriate due to weather
conditions, climate, terrain, safety, assignment, or work task being performed.
This type of uniform is primarily worn by police personnel assigned to specialized
units and generally only when engaged in performing specialized activities. 41.3.4
(1)
Occasions for Wear: Routine, daily and/or specialized activities, or supervision
of department members engaged in such activities, in which the weather is subject
to adverse environmental and/or work-task specific conditions. Examples
include, but are not limited to:
- Canine handlers;
- Tactical Team members;
- Bicycle Unit members;
- Motorcycle Unit members;
- Instructional Cadre
- Animal Control Officers
d. Work Uniform
Use: Worn by department members engaged in daily or planned work projects, or
other activities when warranted by environmental and working conditions.
Usually applies to duties with limited public contact or police response potential.
Authorization for Wear: The authorization to wear this uniform class applies
only to that specific time frame in which a department member is actually
performing projects or tasks covered by this section. 41.3.4 (1)
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Occasion for Wear: Daily wear in all work situations. Generally involves
routine, low public contact and limited police response activities. Examples
include, but are not limited to:
- Fleet maintenance;
- Armory operations;
- Evidence collection at crime and incident scenes;
- Animal care;
- Preparation of range materials, etc.
e. Civilian Attire 41.3.4 (1)
Use: Worn by non-sworn civilian and support personnel, including
administrative and clerical staff.
Also worn by sworn personnel as authorized for their assignment or duties, or as
stipulated by the Chief.
Department Issued Equipment 16.3.4; 17.5.1; 22.2.5 A,B; 41.3.4 (1)
Patrol Officers
After the date of appointment and prior to working their first shift, all newly
appointed patrol officers will be supplied with the following:
- Firearm - OC spray
- Holster - OC canister holder
- 2 badges for garments - Taser (CEW)
- 1 hat badge
- Baton
- Handcuffs
- Gun belt
- Cartridge holder
- Radio
- Radio holder
- Two radio batteries
- Tactical vest
- Patches
- Chevrons
- One rain coat
- One rain hat
- Rubber foot gear.
Newly appointed officers will also be provided with a locker and a combination
lock their first day of work.
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Special Officers
Special officers shall be authorized to carry the same equipment as is issued to
full-time officers provided such officer is appropriately trained in its use. The
cost of these items shall be incurred by the officer, not the department.
Reserve/Permanent Intermittent Officers
They are provided with the minimum of equipment. They are expected to
purchase the other items on their own.
- Firearm
- Holster
- OC spray
- OC canister holder
- Radio
- 1 hat badge
- 1 badge for outer garment
Animal Control Officers
After the date of appointment and prior to working their first shift, all newly
appointed animal control officers will be supplied with the following:
- 2 complete uniforms (includes khaki pants and polo shirt)
- Radio
- Radio holder
- 2 radio batteries
- Windbreaker
- Raincoat
Crossing Guard
Before working their first shift, all newly appointed crossing guards will be
supplied with the following:
- Windbreaker
- Raincoat
- Reflective traffic vest
- Hand held stop sign
All uniforms and equipment issued to employees shall remain the property of the
Canton Police Department and all employees shall keep the same in good working
condition and repair.
Inventory and Control 17.5.1
Previously issued property owned by the agency will be inventoried twice a year.
This will be handled by the Deputy Chief or his/her designee. These items will
include, but not be limited to, any department issued items that were assigned to
an employee, but that employee has either resigned or retired. (Refer to
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Department Issued Equipment paragraph above for a list of items). If in good
condition, these items may be reissued to new officers once hired.
Equipment inventoried monthly by the designated Lieutenant or Sergeant will
include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Night vision goggles
- Under door camera
- LoJack Tracking Kits
- Conducted Electronic Weapons
- Equipment/supplies in the support trailer inventoried quarterly 46.1.8
o Barricades
o Traffic cones
o Traffic signs
o Halogen lights
o Small table
o Extension cords
Stored Agency Property 17.5.2
All stored agency property will be maintained in a state of operational readiness.
Stored property includes, but is not limited to, radios, handcuffs, batons, and items
of special equipment such as radar units, cameras and surveillance devices such as
night vision goggles. Other items include batteries for radios.
Ensuring the equipment is in a state of operational readiness shall be the
responsibility of the person or unit to which the property was assigned.
Operational readiness of the equipment includes care and cleaning, preventive
maintenance and repair and workability. 17.5.2
Stored agency property and equipment will be inspected by a Lieutenant or his/her
designee once a month. An inspection check sheet will be located with the stored
equipment. Any deficiencies will be noted on the sheet. Any repairs or
replacement parts will be noted on the sheet as well. 17.5.1
Specialized stored equipment will be inspected once a month by the Sergeant in
charge of the Unit assigned the equipment. An inspection check sheet will be
located with the stored equipment. The inspecting Sergeant will notify in writing a
Lieutenant of any deficiencies.
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