Leicestershire Police Appearance Standards Procedure This procedure supports the following policy: Appearance Standards Policy Procedure Owner: Department Responsible: Chief Officer Approval: Protective Marking: Detective Superintendent Professional Standards Department Deputy Chief Constable Not Protectively Marked Date of Next Review: May 2018 This document has been produced in conjunction with the Leicestershire Constabulary Legislative Compliance Pack Review log Date Minor / Section Author Major / No change Oct 2007 Live DI M Edwards, PSD Aug 2008 DI M Edwards, PSD Oct 2009 DI M Edwards, PSD Aug 2010 Major All DI M Edwards, PSD Dec 2010 Minor 9 (final bullet) DI M Edwards, PSD 5, 11, 12, 13, 16 & 19 (Introduction of the operational Jun 2012 Major shirt, cold weather clothing & DI M Edwards, PSD amendments to name badges) 6 added ref to operational shirt Oct 2012 Minor 11 - reference to cravat removed DI M Edwards, PSD Aug 2013 Minor 12 C/Supt Haward Oct 2013 Minor 12 DI R Dimmock, PSD (addition added regarding half uniform) May 2015 Major All T/DCI R Dimmock PSD March 2016 Minor DI R Dimmock, PSD November 2016 Minor Addition to paragraph 21 regarding Head of PSD agreement for individual requirements that conflict with this procedure Addition to section 16: guidance to pregnant workers clothing. G. Moss PSD. Page 1 of 12
Contents 1. Introduction... 3 2. Overriding Principles... 3 3. Supervision... 4 4. Hair... 4 5. Facial Hair... 4 6. Tattoos... 5 7. Jewellery... 5 8. Footwear... 6 9. Make-up... 6 10. Headgear... 6 11. Spectacles... 7 12. Ties... 8 13. Operational Shirts... 8 14. Protective vests... 8 15. Cold weather clothing... 9 16. Uniform Dress Code... 9 17. Non Uniform Dress Code... 10 18. Name Badges & Epaulettes... 11 19. Warrant / Identification Cards... 11 20. Medals... 12 21. Individual Needs... 12 22. Appeals Process... 12 Page 2 of 12
1. Introduction This procedure sets the standards of appearance expected of all members of Leicestershire Police and underpins the principles of Our Duty by projecting a professional image. The community expects members of Leicestershire Police to present the highest appearance standards. This, together with the professionalism of members of staff, will contribute to improved public confidence. The procedure seeks to strike a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. This procedure has been prepared in accordance with the principles of the Human Rights Act 1998. Proportionality has been identified as a key to Human Rights compliance and this procedure seeks to strike a balance between the rights of the individual and members of the community we serve. Equality and diversity issues have been considered to ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and meet our legal obligation in relation to the public sector equality duty. Consideration has been given to our duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated regulations in order that we can mitigate risks to our staff against risk. Data Protection and Freedom of Information issues have also been considered. Police officers and members of staff who are not required to wear uniform also have a responsibility to present a professional image of the organisation. This is regardless of whether they are in a public facing role or not. Unless otherwise stated, this procedure applies to all police officers, members of staff and volunteers. Deviation from these standards may result in individuals facing misconduct proceedings. Through the work of the Uniform, Equipment and Officer Safety Working Group, the force will continue to seek improved uniform and equipment to match changing requirements. It will also issue further guidance as and when such uniform and equipment is available. 2. Overriding Principles The following standards apply to all police officers, police staff, and volunteers with Leicestershire Police, unless otherwise dictated by operational requirements: Staff should dress appropriately for their specific job role. Staff must wear the appropriate uniform and equipment to protect them from risk. Staff should dress in keeping with the professional image outlined in this procedure. Items of clothing should be clean and neatly pressed. Staff should maintain high standards of personal hygiene and grooming. Staff should not wear anything which represents a risk to health and safety. Staff should not wear any items which are likely to bring the force into disrepute. Page 3 of 12
3. Supervision Supervisors have a responsibility to ensure there is a robust and consistent approach towards the enforcement of this procedure. They should challenge those members of staff who do not present a professional image of the force. Supervisors should set an example by their own high standards of appearance and conduct. Supervisors should ensure groups of uniformed staff and officers working together in public view are dressed the same as far as is practicable. This is unless operational commitments, religious observance/cultural needs, medical or health reasons prevent this. 4. Hair Hairstyles must not have shaved patterns or motifs and should reflect the professional standards set by this procedure. Uniformed staff Hair should be neat and tidy and worn so that it is cut or secured above the collar and ears and is neat and tidy. It should not present a safety hazard. Any hair accessory must be plain in design and black or navy blue in colour. Extreme and vivid hair colouring and styles are not permitted. For police officers and other operational uniformed staff are not permitted wear hair in ponytails and pigtails due to the risks posed. Long hair should be worn in a bun. Non uniformed staff Hair appearance should reflect the same high standards required of all other members of the force. 5. Facial Hair Moustaches and beards may be worn and must be kept neat and tidy. An unshaven/stubble appearance is unacceptable. Therefore anyone wishing to grow a beard or moustaches should do so whilst off duty. This does not apply where there is a genuine medical reason not to shave. For reasons of safety, consideration should be given to whether a beard should be kept in a beard net. The difference between stubble and a beard can be subjective, and not easily defined. For the purpose of this procedure, stubble will be defined as facial hair that leads one to believe that the person has not shaved for a number of days. Page 4 of 12
6. Tattoos The wearing of tattoos has become a more socially accepted practice, and this procedure does not seek to impinge upon the rights of the wearer. This procedure aims to balance individual rights against the need to present a professional image of Leicestershire Police. Tattoos are deemed unacceptable if they: 1. Undermine the dignity and authority of the officer and/or the organisation. 2. Could cause offence to members of the public or colleagues. 3. Are visible upon the hands, face or neck. 4. Indicate unacceptable attitudes towards women, minority groups or any other section of the community. 5. Indicate alignment with a particular group (political or otherwise) that could cause offence. 6. Are considered or could reasonably interpreted as discriminatory rude, lewd, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic, violent, threatening or intimidating. The Professional Standards Department will consider exceptions to (3) above on the grounds of religious belief, other cultural reasons, or application that the size, nature and prominence are such that it should be deemed acceptable. All staff are required to cover tattoos on their upper and lower arms when at work. Whilst unacceptable tattoos may prevent recruitment into Leicestershire Police, those currently working for the organisation that obtain an unacceptable tattoo, could breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour and face misconduct proceedings. If in doubt, the advice of the Professional Standards Department should be sought. 7. Jewellery Operational staff There is a clear risk of injury if certain items of jewellery are worn when in contact with the public. As such the following items must not be worn whilst on duty: Earrings (except for a matching pair of small studs). Nose ring(s). Studs/bars or any other form of visible body piercing jewellery. There is an increased risk of injury if excessive jewellery and items with sharp stones or other protruding features are worn in operational circumstances. The only jewellery permissible is: A ring (i.e. wedding ring, civil partnership ring, engagement ring, eternity ring and modest signet ring). A watch. Page 5 of 12
Bracelets will not be worn unless a medical alert bracelet or worn for reasons of faith. Necklaces and similar jewellery can be worn but should not be visible. Sikh officers and uniformed staff are permitted to carry a miniature Kirpan which should be worn beneath outer clothing. For all other staff Jewellery worn must maintain a professional image and should be minimal and appropriate to the role performed. A modest pair of earrings can be worn but tongue stud(s) and other visible body piercing jewellery must not be worn whilst at work. Any cultural or religious reasons for needing to wear facial jewellery should be brought to the attention of a supervisor for appropriate authorisation. 8. Footwear Uniformed staff will wear plain black boots or shoes appropriate for the role to be performed. Footwear must be clean with a low flat heel. Socks, stockings or tights must be of a plain colour and appropriate to the uniform being worn, i.e. black or dark navy blue. Non uniformed staff should wear footwear appropriate to their role and in keeping with this procedure. The wearing of certain styles of shoe is inappropriate in certain situations due to a risk of injury, e.g. high heeled shoes and open toe sandals. 9. Make-up Officers and staff should wear only minimal make-up. This may include discreet eye shadow and lipstick appropriate to the individual s natural skin tone and in connection with their religion/faith e.g. the Bindi. For safety reasons, operational staff should keep their fingernails trimmed short and clean. No jewellery or attachments may be worn on the nails. Nail polish must be clear or of the same colour for all the nails and be of an appropriate tone. 10. Headgear Headgear is an integral part of police uniform and an important element in enabling the public to recognise you. It is obligatory for uniformed staff to wear issued headgear whilst performing duties outside unless circumstances dictate otherwise. It should also be noted that: Except on religious grounds, male constables and sergeants (including Special Constabulary equivalents) performing duties outside will wear helmets. When performing duties utilising police vehicles, a cap may be worn. Male Inspectors and above and Special Constabulary equivalent ranks will wear caps. Male police community support officers (PCSO) will wear issue hats whilst performing duties outside. Sikh officers and Page 6 of 12
uniformed police staff may wear a black or dark navy blue turban with a modified cap badge. Female officers and PCSOs will wear force issue hats whilst performing duties outside. Female Muslim officers and uniformed police staff may wear traditional headdress (hijaab). Headwear may be removed whilst in a police vehicle or subject to operational commitments or other appropriate circumstances e.g. weather conditions or to assist in engagement with the public. Cycle safety helmets are to be worn by all staff when riding a police pedal cycle. Headwear may be removed when providing television interviews or when posing for non operational photographs. Sikh officers who wear turbans are exempt by law from wearing motor cycle helmets and therefore also exempt whilst on duty. However, their line manager must arrange a risk assessment in relation to the specific role to be performed. Staff may wear prayer caps at the appropriate time and when the need arises whilst on duty (skull caps may be worn under uniform headgear by observant Jewish men). Specialist headwear such as safety caps (including yellow reflective caps and PSU caps) and black woollen hats may only be worn as per the scale of issue for the role the officer is undertaking, e.g. PSU staff. These can only be worn in connection with that role, or at the discretion of a supervisor. 11. Spectacles Prescription spectacles worn during operational activity require the lenses to be made of safety plastic for reasons of safety. The frame should be a natural colour. Those members of staff holding a force driving authority, who are required to drive as part of their role, should avoid wearing spectacles with wide arms due to them blocking side vision. Under certain circumstances, an optical voucher can be obtained from the force as payment for spectacles. Sunglasses For safety reasons, police officers and uniformed staff are advised not to wear sunglasses in operational situations when dealing with members of the public. Frames should be a plain, neutral colour and style e.g. bright coloured frames are not acceptable. Mirror reflective lenses are not permitted. Sunglasses should always be removed when talking to a member of the public and when inside a building unless it is necessary to wear them for medical reasons. In such cases a supervisor should be consulted and supporting evidence may be needed e.g. medical note from the GP or a request from Occupational Health. Page 7 of 12
12. Ties Staff wearing the operational shirt are not required to wear a tie. In all other cases when wearing a force issue white shirt, the force issue tie should be worn, unless on a meal break away from public view or subject to the exigencies of duty. Male staff members employed in non uniform roles should wear a tie unless their role dictates otherwise. Staff may wear a single tie pin e.g. showing they are an advanced driver or showing support for a charity. Designs should be discrete. During the spell of potentially hot weather (June, July and August) police officers do not have to wear ties if they are wearing white shirts. This instruction also applies to non-uniformed police officers and members of staff. 13. Operational Shirts Uniformed constables, sergeants and all PCSOs will wear the operational shirt regardless of role or deployment. Inspectors and above may use their discretion as to which shirt to wear i.e. operational or white shirt. They should consider the appropriate dress standard for the role being performed. This should include the formality of the occasion and the expectation in some cases that a shirt and tie will be worn (e.g. formal ceremonies). The shirt should not be worn over thermal or other clothing where the sleeves are longer than the sleeve line of the operational shirt. Any portion of a vest or undershirt which may be visible when the zip collar is not fully done up should be plain black. This should be without any visible motif or design. When off duty officers may remain in half uniform. This may be in a white shirt or an operational shirt. It is accepted that this is both pragmatic and often unavoidable; however it is not appropriate to be readily identifiable as police officers in certain circumstances. Where an officer does go to a half uniform state all identifying insignia (epaulettes and warrant lanyards) should be removed. If an operational shirt is worn, then it should be covered with a jacket or jumper as the insignia POLICE cannot be removed. Officers in half uniform may be more readily identifiable as police officers and should consider the personal security advice that can be found on the Special Branch internal website. 14. Protective vests The wearing of protective vests will be the default position for uniformed police officers, special constables and PCSOs when engaged on patrol duties and other public facing duties outside police stations. Page 8 of 12
In all other circumstances, members of the force who are issued with a protective vest should consider any potential risk to themselves or others and whether a protective vest should be worn to reduce that risk. 15. Cold weather clothing In extremely cold weather conditions uniformed staff are permitted to wear longsleeved micro fleece over the operational shirt and beneath the protective vest or other outer layers. 16. Uniform Dress Code All items of uniform must be kept clean and in good repair. It is the responsibility of staff to ensure lost/damaged items of uniform are replaced. Unless authorised to wear plain clothes, uniformed staff will wear uniform at all times when on duty. Except for footwear, uniformed staff may wear only items issued by Leicestershire Police which are authorised for the particular duty. Reference to uniform includes items issued to specialist departments/roles e.g. Scientific Support Unit. Police officers and staff should wear a non-uniform jacket and/or over garments with uniform when travelling to and from duty or when going outside police premises during their refreshment break. Uniformed officers and staff attending both the Magistrates, Crown and Coroner s Court 1 are to wear standard operational uniform, unless the presiding Judge or Coroner directs otherwise. Personal protective equipment, including body armour should not be worn when giving evidence but should be stored at the court. In circumstances where there is an identified risk, officers should inform the court clerk of the risk(s) to ensure the safety of those persons present at court and to seek leave of the court to wear protective equipment. Plain-clothes officers are required to wear a suit and tie or smart business attire when attending court. Uniformed officers are required to wear tunics for award ceremonies. Tunics and trousers can be loaned from supplies for special occasions or as directed by a supervisor. Details can be found on the Procurement & Support Services website. Female officers and female staff may wear trousers or skirts at their own discretion. Only police issue items of equipment may be worn upon the uniform belt. Utility belts will be worn over the trousers or skirt and fleece, blouson or high-visibility jacket. 1 Uniformed officers attending Leicester Coroner s Court are currently required to attend wearing best dressed uniform. This is defined as a police issue white shirt, tie and plain back police issue trousers not combat trousers. This uniform can be obtained from supplies with prior notice. Personal protective equipment, including body armour should not be worn when giving evidence but should be stored at the Coroner s Court. Advice regarding storage and the use of a safe can be sought from the Coroner s Officers. Page 9 of 12
Large bunches of keys will not be worn hanging from the belt to avoid risk of injury. Insignia/epaulettes of rank or post must be worn and visible at all times. Officers in specialist departments may wear issue coveralls and operational shirts, as per the scale of issue, at their discretion; however such clothing should nevertheless be kept clean and tidy. Police officers and staff are not permitted to wear uniform when appearing on internet sites in an off-duty situation or in any other off duty capacity without prior authority of a manager. Police Officers and staff are permitted to wear their own clothes during periods of pregnancy. The nature of the clothing must be appropriate to ensure that they continue to present a professional image of the organisation. 17. Non Uniform Dress Code Individuals wearing plain clothes should ensure that their standard of dress and appearance reflects the same high standard required of uniform staff. All personnel must have their ID card on display whilst on police premises. Individuals will dress in business wear which is smart and clean. Male officers and male police staff should wear a tie. Formal or tailored trousers may be worn by either sex. Business suits or an appropriate smart jacket are acceptable for wearing by either sex. Indeed these are the expected forms of dress whenever staff are representing the force at events, at court or in contact with the public through their role. Females may wear dresses, skirts, culottes or trousers with a suitable shirt, blouse or jumper which has a conservative neckline. All clothing when worn should be appropriate to the dignity and professionalism of the work place and to avoid embarrassment of colleagues. Individuals engaged in covert operations may dress to suit the circumstances required of their deployment. Unless for operational requirements or on medical or health grounds the following styles of dress are not acceptable: Jeans Sweatshirts/T-shirts with slogans or logos Sweatshirts/T-shirts with motifs which may be considered offensive Leggings unless worn as an under garment Sportswear / Beachwear including trainers and flip flops Student Officers Police uniform will be worn by all student officers and trainers whilst at FHQ, the Local Police Directorate and during practical exercises in the public arena. Page 10 of 12
Whilst at FHQ student officers will wear their headwear at all times whilst outside any building on the complex. De Montfort University / Community Placement Dress Code Whilst at De Montfort University (DMU) student officers will wear plain clothes, unless directed otherwise by course tutors. Their dress should reflect the attire of the prevailing student population. The following needs to be borne in mind at all times: Student officers are required to wear clean clothes which are in good repair. Trousers will be full length; if jeans are worn they will be clean and in good repair. If T-shirts are worn regard will be given to the appropriateness of any writing, pictures or emblems displayed on the garment. Clothing which exposes the midriff area is not acceptable. Wearing only a vest as a covering for the top part of the body is not acceptable. For reasons of safety earrings, nose rings, studs/bars or other facial body jewellery may not be worn except for a matching pair of small ear studs. Whilst on community placements student officers will adhere to the DMU dress code. 18. Name Badges & Epaulettes Leicestershire Police no longer issue name badges due to the introduction of named epaulettes and named protective vests. Epaulettes will be of an embroidered type and will display the normal surname by which the staff member is known, preceded by the normal given name. Abbreviations of the given name are acceptable so long as they reflect an appropriate abbreviation or shortening. As a general rule the name displayed should reflect that by which a member of staff would normally be introduced to a member of the public. Nicknames and initials are not acceptable. It should also be noted that the name badge/epaulette is not the formal method of identification; the warrant card or ID card will be used for this purpose, particularly when dealing with the public. 19. Warrant / Identification Cards Warrant cards should be carried at all times by police officers on and off duty. At times of increased security, warrant cards and identification cards should be worn at all times whilst on police premises. The loss or theft of a warrant card or identification card must be reported immediately to a line manager due to the security implications. When visiting certain countries on vacation, guidance may be obtained from Special Branch in respect of whether or not you should take your warrant card. Page 11 of 12
20. Medals Medals and ribbon brooch bars may be worn on tunics provided for special events. The medal ribbon brooch bars may be worn on fleeces. Officers may only wear those medals, orders or decorations authorised by the Sovereign. Medal ribbons should be positioned just above the left breast pocket flap of the tunic and centred over the pocket button. They should be worn in order of importance from right to left i.e. the Queen s Golden Jubilee medal first, followed by the Diamond Jubilee and then the Police Long Service and Good Conduct medal. The General Service Medal and other military medals should precede the jubilee medals. Police medals of any description which are issued/awarded to officers and/or staff are to be retained at all times whilst the officer or staff member remains in service. This is to ensure that they are able to comply with any force requirement to wear medals at relevant events and occasions. For that reason, police medals must not be sold or otherwise disposed of whilst in service. 21. Individual Needs If an individual has a particular requirement, which they feel is not addressed in this procedure they should discuss this with their line manager in the first instance. Where a management decision has been made to address individual requirements that fall outside the scope of this procedure and there is a conflict between the two, the variance should be agreed by the Head of Professional Standards. Further advice can be sought from Human Resources or the Professional Standards Department. 22. Appeals Process If any individual feels that this procedure has been applied unfairly, they should discuss this with their line manager in the first instance. Individuals may also include a Unison or staff association representative in these discussions. If the matter is not resolved successfully, the matter should be escalated to the appropriate HR professional. The Head of Professional Standards and a senior HR professional will be responsible for making any final decisions regarding appeals to any standards or requirement of this procedure. Page 12 of 12