Title: Uniform Guidelines and Body Armor

/ S.O.P / Eff. Date: 10-1-97

Number: 6.12

Title: Uniform Guidelines and Body Armor

Issuing Authority: L.E. Nippins, III, PSD/CLEO / Eval. Date: 11-1-98
Accreditation 22 Compensation, Benefits and Conditions of Work, 26 Disciplinary Procedures, 41 Patrol
Accreditation Standards: 22.2.8, 26.1.1, 41.3.4, 41.3.5, 41.3.6
Revision Date / Page Numbers / Sections / Approved

SUBJECT: Uniform Guidelines and Body Armor

6.12 (9 pgs)

I. Purpose

The purpose of this General Order is to provide guidelines for members of the department in regards to the different classification of authorized uniforms and equipment and the wearing of body armor.

II. Policy

It will be the policy of the department to provide all members with those uniform items, equipment, and body armor required by this SOP. Uniforms, equipment, and body armor issued by the department will be worn as directed. General maintenance, such as cleaning, polishing, and minor repairs, will be the responsibility of the member. The department will replace items, equipment, or body armor that becomes damaged in the performance of a member’s duties or otherwise becomes no longer serviceable due to normal wear and tear.

III. Procedure

A. Wearing of Insignia on Uniform Items

1. Long sleeve uniform shirt

a. Department patch

to be centered on outside crease of left sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam

b. Service bars

worn on front edge of outside crease on left sleeve beginning 1 ½” above cuff seam
officers are authorized one bar for every five (5) years of service as a police officer with this department only

c. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) patch

to be centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam
Special Officers who are EMT’s will wear patch centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below the Special Officer patch
the EMT patch is the only specialized unit/function patch authorized by the department

d. Class I and Class II Special Officer patch

to be centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam
Special Officers may not participate in any uniform function unless patch is clearly displayed as described

e. Name plate

worn so that bottom rests against top seam of right pocket and is centered over pocket flap button
only department issued name plates are authorized

f. Whistle with lanyard

looped end of lanyard is to be secured under right epaulet by placing it around button
whistle is to be placed inside right pocket so as to be readily accessible
lanyard is to lie neatly along right side of shirt outside of name plate

g. Breast badge

worn so that bottom of badge is ½” above top seam of left pocket and is centered over pocket flap button
if shirt has metal or plastic holder pre-sewn into it holder may be utilized

h. Award ribbons or medals

medals may only be worn when authorized by the PSD/CLEO
medals and ribbons are to be worn in compliance with SOP 2.02 “Awards Program”

i. Lieutenant’s bars

worn on epaulets
may be sewn on or of slide on variety
gold pin on type is also authorized

j. Sergeant’s stripes

to be centered on outside crease of both sleeves
on left sleeve top edge of stripes are to be worn so as to just touch bottom edge of department patch
right sleeve stripes are to be placed same distance from shoulder seam as are stripes on left sleeve

2. Short sleeve shirt

a. Department patch

to be centered on outside crease of left sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam

b. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) patch

to be centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam
Special Officers who are EMT’s will wear patch centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below the Special Officer patch
the EMT patch is the only specialized unit/function patch authorized by the department

c. Class I and Class II Special Officer patch

to be centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam
Special Officers may not participate in any uniform function unless patch is clearly displayed as described

d. Name plate

worn so that bottom rests against top seam of right pocket and is centered over pocket flap button
only department issued name plates are authorized

e. Whistle with lanyard

looped end of lanyard is to be secured under right epaulet by placing it around button
whistle is to be placed inside right pocket so as to be readily accessible
lanyard is to lie neatly along right side of shirt outside of name plate

f. Breast badge

worn so that bottom of badge is ½” above top seam of left pocket and is centered over pocket flap button
if shirt has metal or plastic holder pre-sewn into it holder may be utilized

g. Award ribbons or medals

medals may only be worn when authorized by the PSD/CLEO
medals and ribbons are to be worn in compliance with SOP 2.02 Awards Program

h.Lieutenant’s bars

worn on epaulets
may be sewn on or of slide on variety
gold pin on type is also authorized

i.Sergeant’s stripes

to be centered on outside crease of both sleeves
on left sleeve top edge of stripes are to be worn so as to just touch bottom edge of department patch
right sleeve stripes are to be placed same distance from shoulder seam as are stripes on left sleeve

3. Uniform Jacket

a. Department patch

to be centered on outside crease of left sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam

b. Service bars

worn on front edge of outside crease on left sleeve beginning 1 ½” above cuff seam
officers are authorized one bar for every five (5) years of service as a police officer with this department only

c. Emergency Medical Technician patch

to be centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam
this is the only specialized unit/function patch authorized by the department

d. Class I and Class II Special Officer patch

to be centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam
Special Officers may not participate in any uniform function unless patch is clearly displayed as described

e. Breast badge

embroidered badge sewn on so that bottom of badge is ½” above top seam of left pocket and is centered over pocket flap button
distances above pocket seam may vary if sewn on by manufacturer

f.Lieutenant’s bars

worn on epaulets
may be sewn on or of slide on variety
gold pin on type is also authorized

g.Sergeant’s stripes

to be centered on outside crease of both sleeves
on left sleeve top edge of stripes are to be worn so as to just touch bottom edge of department patch
right sleeve stripes are to be placed same distance from shoulder seam as are stripes on left sleeve

4. Uniform Sweater

a. Department patch

to be centered on outside crease of left sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam

b. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) patch

to be centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam
Special Officers who are EMT’s will wear patch centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below the Special Officer patch
the EMT patch is the only specialized unit/function patch authorized by the department

c. Class I and Class II Special Officer patch

to be centered on outside crease of right sleeve ¼” below shoulder seam
Special Officers may not participate in any uniform function unless patch is clearly displayed as described

d. Name plate

embroidered on sweater by manufacturer

e. Breast badge

embroidered badge sewn on by manufacturer

f.Lieutenant’s bars

worn on epaulets
may be gold pin on type or of slide on variety

g.Sergeant’s stripes

slide on type to be worn on epaulets

B.Uniform Classifications

Department uniforms will be classified into four (4) basic classes identified as

A,B,C, and D. Class A will describe the department dress uniform, and Class D

the department’s harsh duty uniform. Classes B and C describe the general

uniform of the day depending on the season.

The Class B uniform will also be subdivided into Class B1, B2, and B3, which

designate the wearing of the uniform sweaters and uniform turtle neck shirts.

1. Class A (Dress Uniform)

a. Hat with hat badge

b. Long sleeve uniform shirt as described above

c. Tie with tie clip

tie clip is to be worn so that it is even with pocket flap buttons and so that it holds tie centered on button-line of shirt

d. Uniform trousers

e. Leather belt with buckle

f. Duty weapon with leather holster

not applicable to Class I Special Officers

g. Leather magazine pouch with magazines

not applicable to Class I Special Officers

h. Leather handcuff case with handcuffs

i. Expandable straight baton or straight or expandable side-handled baton with holder

j. Uniform jacket as described above

seasonal, only to be worn with Class A uniform when so specified

2. Class B (Winter Uniform)

a. Hat with hat badge

severe weather hats, with hat badge, are only to be worn when dictated by weather conditions and then only with approval of duty supervisor

b. Long sleeve uniform shirt as described above

c. Tie with tie clip

tie clip is to be worn so that it is even with pocket flap buttons and so that it holds tie centered on button-line of shirt

d. Uniform trousers

e. Uniform jacket as described above (optional)

f. Web gear and equipment

inner and outer web belts
web holster with duty weapon except Class I Special Officers
web handcuff case with handcuffs
web pepper spray case with spray
web magazine pouch with magazines except Class I Special Officers
web glove pouch with gloves
expandable straight baton or straight or expandable side-handled baton with holder
portable radio pouch

3. Class B1

a.Class B uniform with uniform sweater

uniform sweater is to be worn over uniform long sleeve shirt
uniform sweater may be worn as outer garment with approval of duty supervisor
tie required

4. Class B2

a. Class B uniform with uniform turtle neck shirt

uniform turtle neck shirt is to be worn under uniform long sleeve shirt
tie not required

5. Class B3

a. Class B uniform with uniform turtle neck shirt and uniform sweater

both to be worn as described above
uniform sweater may be worn as outer garment with approval of duty supervisor

6. Class C (Summer Uniform)

a. Hat with hat badge

b. Short sleeve uniform shirt as described above

tee shirts must be worn with this open necked shirt
tees shirts must be white or dark blue in color

c. Uniform trousers

d. Uniform jacket as described (optional)

e. Web gear and equipment

inner and outer web belts
web holster with duty weapon except Class I Special Officers
web handcuff case with handcuffs
web pepper spray case with spray
web magazine pouch with magazines except Class I Special Officers
web glove pouch with gloves
expandable straight baton or straight or expandable side-handled baton with holder
portable radio pouch

7. Class D (Harsh Duty Uniform)

a. Ball cap with department emblem

b. Wash and wear shirt

long or short sleeve shirt as described is at discretion of duty supervisor
uniform turtle neck shirt may be worn under long sleeve shirt when required due to weather and with approval of duty supervisor
uniform sweater may not be worn with Class D uniform

c. Wash and wear trousers

d. Jacket as described (optional)

e. Web gear and equipment

inner and outer web belts
web holster with duty weapon except Class I Special Officers
web handcuff case with handcuffs
web pepper spray case with spray
web magazine pouch with magazines except Class I Special Officers
web glove pouch with gloves
expandable straight baton or straight or expandable side-handled baton with holder
portable radio pouch

C. Footwear

1. Footwear for all uniforms will be black in color and may be either low or high

quarter style.

2. Black or navy blue socks will also be worn with all uniforms.

a. Officers who wear high quarter footwear that is designed so that the socks are not visible are exempt from this provision.

D. Specialized Unit Uniforms

1.Officers assigned to specialized units such as the Civil Disturbance Response

Team (CDRT), the Street Crimes Unit, and officers who are designated as firearms instructors will also be issued BDU type tactical uniforms. Due to the number of options associated with the wearing of this uniform it is not assigned a classification nor is it described in detail herein. The supervisor in operational command will determine what option is appropriate for the particular situation.

a. No Class I or Class II Special Officers will be assigned to these units or be issued tactical uniforms.

2. Bicycle Unit

a. Uniforms for the bicycle unit are described in SOP 6.14 “Bicycle Unit”

E.Draping of Badges

1.Members of the department will drape their badges to honor fallen or deceased officers as follows or when so directed by the PSD/CLEO:

a.Member of the Burlington Township Police Department killed in the line of duty -

thirty (30) days

b.Current or retired member of the Burlington Township Police Department whose death is not in the line of duty -

ten (10) days

c.Member of a Burlington County police department or a member of the New Jersey State Police killed in the line of duty -

five (5) days or through the day of the funeral which ever is longer

d.The PSD/CLEO may direct that officers’ badges be draped for members of other agencies. In these instances the badges shall be draped for the day of the funeral only.

2.The PSD/CLEO may direct that officers’ badges be draped due to the death of an individual who is not a police officer, such as a prominent government official. The length of time the badges are to be draped will be determined by the PSD/CLEO. Only the PSD/CLEO may authorize the draping of badges under these circumstances.

3.It will be the responsibility of the duty supervisor to insure that officers’ badges are draped in compliance with this SOP.

F.Body Armor

1.The department will be provide all officers with individual body armor that, at time of purchase, meets or exceeds specifications established by the department and the bargaining unit. The body armor will be replaced by the department in accordance with manufacturers recommendations.

2.All officers assigned to a non-administrative uniform function, to include regular patrol duties and extra duty assignments, will wear assigned body armor except under the following conditions:

a.A medical excuse, updated annually, has been filed with and approved by the PSD/CLEO.

b.The Operations Commander suspends the wearing of body armor for health reasons due to extremely high temperatures or humidity levels.

3.Officers who have been granted a medical excuse and officers who have had the wearing of body armor suspended must have their assigned body armor immediately available to them at all times. The requirement of “immediately available” will be met as follows:

a.An officer assigned to patrol duties will have assigned body armor in the front passenger compartment of assigned patrol vehicle.

b.An officer assigned to traffic control, road construction, or outdoor security or crowd control will have assigned body armor secured in nearby department or personal vehicle that is readily accessible.

c. An officer assigned to indoor security or crowd control will have assigned body armor secured in readily accessible room, locker, closet, or other compartment.

4.Officers assigned to administrative positions or who do not normally wear a uniform, such as officers assigned to the Investigations Bureau or other special assignments, are also required to have their assigned body armor immediately available to them at all times. The requirement of “immediately available” will be met as follows:

a.Officers assigned a specific department vehicle will have assigned body armor secured either in passenger compartment or trunk of vehicle.

b.Officers not assigned a specific department vehicle will have assigned body armor secured within normal work area in such a manner as to be readily accessible

c.Officers who keep assigned body armor within work area must take body armor with them whenever they leave headquarters

5.Officers who report for duty and are not in compliance with this SOP, will be considered unfit for duty and will not be permitted to work until in compliance. Officers who refuse or otherwise fail to comply will be subject to immediate suspension and subsequent disciplinary action.

- End -

of 6.12