Uniform Equipment and Appearance - West Midlands Police

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WEST MIDLANDS POLICE

Force Policy Document

POLICY TITLE: POLICY REFERENCE NO:

UNIFORM, EQUIPMENT and APPEARANCE POLICY

CoS/05

Executive Summary.

The purpose of this policy document is to set out to all officers and staff who represent West Midlands Police (WMP), both the required standard of uniform and appearance expected so maintaining a professional image to the general public, and to provide to all those officers and staff the required level of equipment in order to carry out their duties effectively and safely.

The policy will make clear the required responsibility placed on officers and staff to ensure that, wherever possible, a corporate image is met at all times and at all events, including that of the diverse needs of all employees, provided that they do not conflict with both operational and legislative obligations. However, of paramount importance to WMP, is that of the safety of its officers and staff and to ensure that they use, have access to and take some form of responsibility for the care and maintenance of Force equipment and any subsequent loss of property is reported as soon as practicable and recorded appropriately.

**Any enquiries in relation to this policy should be made be made directly with that of the policy contact / department shown below.

Intended Policy Audience. This policy is primarily aimed at all police officers and staff of West Midlands Police.

Current Version And Effective Date. Version 7.1

05/08/2013

Business Area Owner

Corporate Services

Department Responsible

Corporate Services

Policy Contact

Steve Middleditch on extension 7800 2456

Policy Author

Steve Middleditch ? Corporate Services Manager

Approved By

ACC Forsyth (Operations)

Policy Initial Implementation Date 1994

Review Date

01/06/2014

Protective Marking

Not Protectively Marked

Suitable For Publication ? Freedom Of Information

Yes ? (please refer to section 17)

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Supporting Documents Policy ? directly supporting documents.

Scales of Issue. (click here). Supplies Unit (including ceremonial loan service). (click here).

Evidence Based Research Full supporting documentation and evidence of consultation in relation to this policy including that of any version changes for implementation and review, are held with the Force Policy Co-ordinator including that of the authorised original Command Team papers.

Please Note. PRINTED VERSIONS SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON. THE MOST UP TO DATE VERSION OF ANY POLICY OR DIRECTIVE CAN BE FOUND ON THE EQUIP database on the Intranet.

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Force Diversity Vision Statement and Values

"Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations by embedding a culture of equality and respect that puts all of our communities, officers and staff at the heart of everything we do. Working together as one we will strive to make a difference to our service delivery by mainstreaming our organisational values"

"All members of the public and communities we serve, all police officers, special constables and police staff members shall receive equal and fair treatment regardless of, age, disability, sex, race, gender reassignment, religion/belief, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership and pregnancy/maternity. If you consider this policy could be improved for any of these groups please raise with the author of the policy without delay."

Table of Contents

1. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................. 6 2. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................ 6 3. CORPORATE IMAGE AND VISIBILITY ............................................................................ 6 4. WEARING OF UNIFORMS and CARRIAGE OF EQUIPMENT: - GENERAL.................... 7 4.1 WEARING OF SHIRTS, TIES/CRAVATS .......................................................................... 7 4.2 HEADWEAR ...................................................................................................................... 8 4.3 PROTECTIVE VESTS........................................................................................................ 8 4.4 OUTER GARMENTS ......................................................................................................... 9 4.5 UNIFORM FOR NEW and EXPECTANT MOTHERS......................................................... 9 4.6 HARNESS........................................................................................................................ 10 4.7 BADGES OF RANK and PERSONAL NUMBERS .......................................................... 10 4.8 NAME BADGES .............................................................................................................. 10 4.9 GLOVES .......................................................................................................................... 11 4.10 FOOTWEAR .................................................................................................................... 11 5. PERSONAL APPEARANCE............................................................................................ 11 5.1 HAIR ................................................................................................................................ 11 5.2 FACIAL HAIR .................................................................................................................. 11 5.3 COSMETICS .................................................................................................................... 11 5.4 TATTOOS ........................................................................................................................ 12 5.5 JEWELLERY and RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS ..................................................................... 12 5.6 EYE PROTECTION.......................................................................................................... 12 5.7 MOBILE PHONES ........................................................................................................... 13 5.8 SEARCH SUITS............................................................................................................... 13 5.9 HIGH VISIBILITY CAR COATS ....................................................................................... 13 5.10 PUBLIC ORDER DRESS CODE, INCLUDING SPORTING EVENTS.............................. 13 5.11 UNIFORMED OFFICERS IN SPECIALIST POSTS ......................................................... 15 5.12 ATTENDANCE AT COURT ............................................................................................. 15 5.13 VARIATIONS TO or EXCLUSIONS FROM STANDARDS POLICY ................................ 15 6. OTHER EQUIPMENT....................................................................................................... 16 7. UNIFORM ISSUE / REQUISITIONING PROCEDURE ..................................................... 16 8. LOSS, DAMAGE and CARE of UNIFORM...................................................................... 17 9. OTHER USE OF UNIFORM ............................................................................................. 18 10. CEREMONIAL UNIFORM LOAN SERVICE .................................................................... 19 11. WARRANT AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS ................................................................... 20 12. CONTINGENCY ARRANGEMENTS................................................................................ 21

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13. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE POLICY....................................................................... 21 14. CONSULTATION ............................................................................................................. 21 15. EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EQIA). .................................................................. 21 16. HUMAN RIGHTS ............................................................................................................. 22 17. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI) .............................................................................. 22 18. TRAINING........................................................................................................................ 22 19. PROMOTION / DISTRIBUTION & MARKETING ............................................................. 22 20. REVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 22 21. VERSION HISTORY ........................................................................................................ 23

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ACC BAPA BDU CBRN CID EQIA FOI LDRC LGBT LPU NATO PCSO PPE PSU PUWER WMAWP WMP

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Acronyms

Assistant Chief Constable Black and Asian Police Association Beat Duty Unit Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Criminal Investigation Department Equality Impact Assessment Freedom of Information Learning and Development Resource Centre Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Local Policing Unit North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Police Community Support Officer Personal Protective Equipment Police Support Unit Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 West Midlands Association for Women in Policing West Midlands Police

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