I. AUTHORITY

This policy is issued under authority granted to the Chief Probation Officer.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish policy for the appearance and dress of Probation Department employees, sworn and non-sworn, while on duty.

III. APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all Probation Department employees while on duty.

IV. BACKGROUND

It is the responsibility of all Probation Department employees that when meeting with the public the employee shall be well-groomed, appropriately dressed, and reflect a personal image as a professional employee in the performance of official duties.

V. GENERAL POLICY

1. During business hours or when dealing with the public or other agencies, employees shall dress in business casual attire. Officers may wear the approved uniform instead of business casual attire.
2. Business casual attire for the purpose of this policy does not include the following:
   1. Cotton t-shirts or cotton/fleece sweatshirts.
   2. Short pants (Capris are allowed)
   3. Midriff tops
   4. Frayed, torn clothing or in obvious need of repair. 
   5. Caps or hats (head wear worn for religious purposes is allowed)
   6. Blue denim pants
   7. Flip flops
3. Clothing should be neat and clean at all times.
4. Visible body piercings other than those through the ear are not permitted while on duty.
5. Visible tattoos determined by the Chief Probation Officer to be of an anti-social and/or unprofessional nature may be required to be covered up during work hours.
6. Hair styles and colors that are determined by the Chief Probation Officer to be extreme, create a safety hazard, or have the potential to become a distraction to the employee’s co-workers are prohibited.
7. Blue denim pants can be worn on calendar Fridays.
8. Solid black beanies, plain or with the Probation Department logo, may be worn during cold weather.
9. Court attire shall be worn when representing the Department at events such as the County Peace Officer Memorial event, any line of duty memorial, or other formal Department event as directed.  
10. Officers shall not visibly display the Department’s logo on their clothing when off-duty.
11. Training Dress Attire:
    1. In County trainings: staff shall dress in business casual attire or uniform.
    2. Out of County trainings: staff shall wear business casual attire with the addition of blue jeans being allowed.
    3. If the training dictates dress that is different from the standards above, those training dress requirements shall be followed.
12. Court Dress Attire:
    1. All employees appearing in pre-noticed Court appearance shall wear business dress attire.  
    2. Officers with no prior notice of a Court appearance may wear business casual, uniform or field dress attire in Court. 
    3. Officers appearing in Treatment Courts may wear business casual attire provided the assigned Judge approves.
    4. Firearms shall be concealed while in the courtroom during scheduled appearances unless appearing in uniform or field dress attire without prior notice. 
13. Officer Uniform Standards:
    1. Officers shall adhere to the following appearance standards when in uniform.
    2. Only tactical pants in black or khaki color are allowed.
    3. Only polo shirts in black or khaki color are allowed.  Polo shirts shall be tucked in the officer’s pants.
       1. Polo shirts shall have the official Department star logo over the left chest area.
       2. Polo shirts shall have the officer’s first initial and last name over the right chest area.
       3. Officers have the option to have the appropriate rank underneath their name.
       4. Approved Probation Department ranks:
          1.  Deputy
          2. Juvenile Services Officer
          3. Senior Juvenile Services Officer
          4. Senior Deputy
          5. Supervising Deputy
          6. Chief Deputy
          7. Assistant Chief
          8. Chief
    4. Only black or khaki closed toe, closed heel, flat, rubber soled shoes or boots may be worn.
    5. Pants tucked into boots in a bloused style are not authorized.
    6. Only caps with “SLO County Probation” or badge logo may be worn when in uniform and the bill must be facing forward.
    7. Officers assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit are exempt from the uniform standards.
    8. Officers assigned to the Coastal Valley Academy (CVA) may wear an outer concealment shirt with CVA logo and black or khaki tactical shorts on outings as approved by a supervisor or Chief Deputy.
14. Field Dress Attire
    1. Approved uniform polo shirt or tactical ballistic carrier.
       1. Tactical ballistic carriers shall have:
          • The official Department star logo over the left chest area.
          • The officer’s first initial and last name over the right chest area.
          • The “probation” identification panels on the front and back of the carrier.
    2. Approved uniform pants and shoes/boots.
    3. Officers may wear visible black sweatshirts or t-shirts with the Probation Department logo or “63 Nation” logo or plain black sweatshirts or t-shirts under their tactical vest.
    4. Approved clothing under outer ballistic carrier shall be tucked into the officer’s pants.
    5. Officers with hair below their shoulders shall tie it back or wear it under a hat in such a way that precludes their hair from being pulled by a combatant during an attack.
    6. Officers shall keep their fingernails or artificial fingernails trimmed to length that does not interfere with job duties or have a likelihood to cause injury. 
    7. No skirts, shorts or dresses are permitted.
    8. Loose fitting and sharp-ended jewelry are not allowed.
15. Departure from Policy:
    1. Departures from the established dress code standards may be permitted on a temporary basis, up to 30 days, with supervisor approval because of modified work restrictions/needs.
    2. Departures exceeding 30 days may be permitted on a temporary basis with Chief Deputy approval. 

VI. EXCLUSIVITY

This policy will remain in effect until superseded or suspended in writing by the Chief Probation Officer and can be reviewed as needed.