HCSD — Standard Operating Procedures

923.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

In order to project uniformity and neutrality toward the public and other members of the department, employees, both sworn and non-sworn, shall maintain their personal hygiene and appearance to project a professional image appropriate for this department and for their assignment. Non-Sworn civilian, Detective grade, or Administrative Bureau staff may elect to wear casual, tactical, business casual, business attire for their position.

Civilian Attire Standards:

Civilian staff may choose to wear appropriate attire for any work shift as described below. Civilian Uniform:

1. Tops: casual, tactical, business casual, business attire for their position.
2. Bottoms: Any color slacks, khakis, capris, skirts or jeans. Skirts must be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee. Jeans or leggings, spandex or shorts.
3. Shoes: Clean closed toed shoes, dress boots, hiking boots, open toed sandals or flip flops.
4. Outer Garments: casual, tactical, business casual, business attire for their position. Business Attire:

A Sheriff Department badge worn and visible when wearing business attire.

1. Tops: Tops, blouses, button up or collared shirts that are considered professional in appearance. Sleeveless shirts or tank tops unless worn with a zip up, button up, or open front jacket, sweater or cardigan. No t-shirts with graphics or slogans. Sheriff Tan/Beige/Brown are preferred though.
2. Bottoms: Any color slacks, khakis, capris or skirts. Sheriff Tan/Beige/Brown are preferred though.
3. Dresses: Dresses should be professional in appearance. No sleeveless or tank top style dresses unless worn with a zip up, button up, or open front jacket, sweater, or cardigan. Dresses must not be shorter than two inches above the knee. Sheriff Tan/Beige/Brown are preferred though.
4. Outer Garments: Zip up, button up, or open front jackets, sweaters, or cardigans. Pull over sweaters that are professional in appearance or the approved jacket/1/4 zip sweatshirt may be worn.

Exceptions to the civilian dress code policy or business attire due to the nature of the work being performed will be considered and must be approved by the Office Manager, Captain/Chief Deputy, Undersheriff, or Sheriff.

923.2 GROOMING STANDARDS

Unless otherwise stated and because deviations from these standards could present officer safety issues, the following appearance standards shall apply to all employees, except those whose current assignment would deem them not appropriate, and where the Sheriff has granted exception.

923.2.1 HAIR

Hairstyles of all members shall be neat in appearance Civilian staff hairstyles must be professional in appearance and approved by their immediate supervisor.

923.2.2 MUSTACHES

A short and neatly trimmed mustache may be worn.

923.2.3 SIDEBURNS

Sideburns shall not extend below the bottom of the outer ear opening (the top of the earlobes) and shall be trimmed and neat.

923.2.4 FACIAL HAIR

Deputies shall not wear facial hair other than sideburns and mustaches unless authorized by the Sheriff or his or her designee.

Civilian staff may wear a beard as long as it is neatly trimmed and approved by their immediate supervisor.

923.2.5 FINGERNAILS

For all staff fingernails shall not extend beyond 1/4 inch of the tip of the finger and any polish or decorations must be approved by their immediate supervisor.

Deputies fingernails extending beyond the tip of the finger can pose a safety hazard to deputies or others, therefore they are encouraged, not required, to keep them trimmed so that no point of the nail extends beyond the tip of the finger.

923.2.6 JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES

Appropriate jewelry may be displayed. Employees must convey professionalism.

Inappropriate jewelry includes, but is not limited to, that which may impair officer safety, is derogatory, sexual, or otherwise offensive in nature. For safety purposes, earrings are limited to one post earring per ear with no dangling earrings. Employees are urged to use sound judgment and decision making when considering their appearance and appropriateness of their jewelry. The Sheriff, or designee, may require an employee to remove, cover, or otherwise not display jewelry at any time because it is deemed inappropriate.

For civilian staff, they may wear jewelry as long as it appears appropriately professional and is approved by their immediate supervisor. Additionally, civilian staff are authorized to wear one post nose piercing in one nostril of their choosing.

923.3 TATTOOS

Appropriate tattoos may be displayed, though not on the head, face, or neck. Employees must convey professionalism. Inappropriate tattoos include, but are not limited to, tattoos that may impair officer safety, are derogatory, sexual, or otherwise offensive in nature.

Employees are urged to use sound judgment and decision making when considering their appearance and appropriateness of their body art. The Sheriff, or designee, may require an employee to cover a visible tattoo at any time because it is deemed inappropriate.

923.4 BODY PIERCING OR ALTERATION

Body piercing or alteration to any area of the body visible in any authorized uniform or attire that is a deviation from normal anatomical features and which is not medically required is prohibited.

Such body alteration includes, but is not limited to:

• Tongue splitting or piercing.
• The complete or transdermal implantation of any material other than hair replacement.
• Abnormal shaping of the ears, eyes, nose or teeth
• Branding or scarification.

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