Uniforms and Officer Appearance

Idaho
Department of
Correction

Standard
Operating
Procedure
Title:
Uniforms and Officer Appearance

Page:
1 of 7

Control Number:
122.02.01.002
Version:
5.0
Adopted:
02/24/1999

IDOC Data Sensitivity Classification - L3 Restricted
Bree Derrick, deputy director, approved this document on 05/01/2020.
Open to the public: Yes
SCOPE
This standard operating procedure (SOP) applies to all Idaho Department of Correction
(IDOC) facility staff and community reentry center (CRC) staff wearing department uniforms.
Revision Summary
Revision date (05/01/2020) version 5.0: Removed appendices (now listed on forms pages),
provided further clarification to several sections regarding appearance and grooming
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Board of Correction IDAPA Rule Number ............................................................................. 2
Policy Control Number 122................................................................................................... 2
Purpose ................................................................................................................................ 2
Responsibility ....................................................................................................................... 2
Standard Procedures ........................................................................................................... 2
1. Uniform Safekeeping and Management ....................................................................... 2
2. Authorized Uniforms .................................................................................................... 3
3. Rank Designations ....................................................................................................... 3
4. Uniform Components ................................................................................................... 4
5. Uniform Accessories .................................................................................................... 5
6. Uniform Maintenance, Use, and Appearance ............................................................... 6
7. Uniform Initial Issue ..................................................................................................... 6
8. Foul-Weather and Post-Specific Items ......................................................................... 6
9. Personal Appearance and Grooming Standards .......................................................... 6
10. Jewelry ......................................................................................................................... 7
11. Tattoos ......................................................................................................................... 8
Definitions ............................................................................................................................ 8
References ........................................................................................................................... 8
Control Number:
122.02.01.002
Version:
5.0
Title:
Uniforms and Officer Appearance

Page Number:
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Idaho Department of Correction
IDOC Data Sensitivity Classification - L3 Restricted
BOARD OF CORRECTION IDAPA RULE NUMBER
None
POLICY CONTROL NUMBER 122
Security Staff and Non-Security Staff Grooming Standards and Dress Code
PURPOSE
The purpose of this SOP is to establish grooming and appearance standards for uniformed
staff members to reflect the dignity and professionalism of the IDOC.
RESPONSIBILITY
Facility Heads
Facility heads are responsible for implementing this SOP and for ensuring uniformed
staff members adhere to the standards contained herein.
Staff Members
Staff members, when wearing an issued uniform, are responsible to follow the standards
contained herein.
STANDARD PROCEDURES
1. Uniform Safekeeping and Management
Uniform Safekeeping
All uniform items and equipment issued are the property of IDOC.
Staff are responsible for securing all property issued to them. Uniforms or components
must not be left unattended or stored where incarcerated individuals have access to
them. Anytime uniforms containing patches are discarded, the patches must be removed
and destroyed. Uniforms with embroidered badges, patches, etc. must be destroyed.
Upon separation from IDOC, or transfer to a work unit or position not requiring the IDOC-
issued uniforms, staff members must return all uniforms and equipment to their facility’s
uniform coordinator on their last day of work. Failure to do so may result in the
department taking legal action to recoup uniforms and costs incurred.
Uniforms are never re-issued without a one-for-one exchange being presented to the
facility uniform coordinator.
The uniform coordinator reissues uniforms and uniform items before the annual reissue
if an item is not serviceable, damaged beyond repair, secured as evidence, etc.
Uniform Coordinator
Each facility head must designate a staff member to serve as uniform coordinator. The
uniform coordinator duties include:
• Ensuring all uniforms and related equipment are purchased in accordance with IDOC
fiscal contracts and procedures
Control Number:
122.02.01.002
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Title:
Uniforms and Officer Appearance

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Idaho Department of Correction
IDOC Data Sensitivity Classification - L3 Restricted
• Determining when uniforms and related equipment are due for replacement and
issuing appropriate replacement items
• Preparing purchase requests based on facility needs
• Tracking what items have been issued to staff using the Uniform Inventory form
• Ensuring issued items are returned and accounted for when a staff member leaves
the department or transfers to a position that does not require the wearing of the
uniform
• Maintaining a current and accurate inventory of all uniform items and related
equipment in stock on site
• Properly disposing of all unserviceable uniform items
Twice yearly, the uniform coordinator provides a copy of a current inventory to the
deputy warden, or second in command.
Initial issue takes place at the New Employee Orientation. However, heavy winter coats,
headgear, and post specific items are issued at the facility. Any measurements of staff
required for ordering uniforms and related equipment are taken during New Employee
Orientation.
2. Authorized Uniforms
Only those uniforms identified in this standard operating procedure and IDOC purchasing
contracts are authorized for use. Any uniform-related item purchased by employees must be
the same color, brand, and model as the IDOC-approved item. However, if an employee is
unable to wear the required uniform for any reason, they must work directly with their HR
representative to resolve the issue. Deviations must be approved in advance.
The IDOC has four authorized duty uniform types:
• Security (Prisons and Community Reentry Centers)
• Food Service (Correctional Specialists)
• Mechanical Services
• Vocational Work Projects
See Idaho Department of Correction Uniform List.
3. Rank Designations
IDOC uses the following standards for rank designations:
Badge
Gold: warden, deputy warden, and CRC manager
Silver with gold panels: captain
Gold with silver panels: lieutenant and correctional specialist supervisor
Silver: sergeant, corporal, correctional officer, and correctional specialist
Control Number:
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Title:
Uniforms and Officer Appearance

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Idaho Department of Correction
IDOC Data Sensitivity Classification - L3 Restricted
Collar
Captain: two bars, gold
Lieutenant: one bar, gold
Sergeant: three chevrons, silver
Corporal: two chevrons, silver
Correctional officer: one chevron (after completion of entry probation)
Correctional specialist supervisor: CSS, gold
Correction specialist officer: CSO, silver
Mechanical services staff: none
4. Uniform Components
Headgear
The following IDOC-provided headgear may be worn:
• A black baseball-style, flex-fit cap with an embroidered IDOC logo at the center front.
The bill of the cap must be centered and facing forward.
• A black watch cap with an embroidered IDOC emblem at the center front.
• A tan “boonie” hat may be worn by vocational work project staff, and any other staff
as approved by the facility head for protection from the sun.
Footwear
Footwear must either be black leather or tan leather and Cordura® nylon laced boots
with or without optional side zipper.
If black footwear is chosen, it must be capable of being polished (black socks must be
worn with low-quarter shoes)
If an employee is unable to wear the issued footwear or requires something other than
the state-issued footwear, they must contact their HR representative who will work with
the institutional uniform coordinator. The institutional uniform coordinator is the approval
authority for the non-contract purchases and will follow ADA guidelines. If approval is
granted for an employee to purchase individual footwear, the employee must present a
dated receipt to the facility uniform coordinator for reimbursement.
Maternity Uniform
When a maternity uniform is needed, the staff member must notify the supervisor
allowing sufficient time to order and obtain the necessary uniform items.
• The staff member may increase the uniform allotment by four additional maternity
pants, and four additional maternity shirts.
• These additional items must be returned to the uniform coordinator as soon as they
are no longer needed.
Control Number:
122.02.01.002
Version:
5.0
Title:
Uniforms and Officer Appearance

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Idaho Department of Correction
IDOC Data Sensitivity Classification - L3 Restricted
Specialty Teams
Uniform designations and accessories are identified within the standard operating
procedure associated with each specialty team.
5. Uniform Accessories
Uniform Accessory Guidelines and Standards
• Identification (ID cards): worn at all times. The ID card may either be clipped to the
uniform shirt at the loop provided in the center of the shirt just below the buttons or
attached to a breakaway lanyard. The breakaway lanyard will be provided by the
department or must be monochrome with no logos of any kind.
• Metal badge: in badge holder, worn on belt (worn only while on duty).
• Wrist restraints must be hinged or chain, black, nickel, or stainless. (A second wrist
restraint is optional and purchased at the employee’s expense.)
• All leather uniform accessories must be basket-weave leather with silver buckles,
buttons, etc.
• Belt keepers must be couple snap, no larger than one inch wide.
• Duty belt must be 2 ¼ inch wide with a square buckle. (Belt keepers must be worn
with duty belt).
• Or: a black duty vest with Velcro name patch on left chest and Velcro badge on right
chest
• Waist belts must be 1 ¾ inch width.
• Glove pouch
• OC holder
• Radio holder
• Key keeper
• Multipurpose pouch (duty vest only)
• Wrist restraint case(s) enclosed model. A second wrist restraint case that matches
the department issue is optional and purchased at the employee’s expense.
• Holsters are only worn on armed posts, must be post and weapon specific, and
authorized in accordance with SOP 507.02.01.011, Firearms.
• Magazine holders should be double enclosed with closures, only worn on armed
posts, and must be post and weapon specific.
• All duty gear must be worn with/on duty belt or load bearing vest.
• Crewneck t-shirts are optional however, they are at staff members’ expense. Only
black is to be worn with the black polo shirts and white is to be worn with all others.
Undershirts must not protrude or be visible from the sleeve.
Control Number:
122.02.01.002
Version:
5.0
Title:
Uniforms and Officer Appearance

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Idaho Department of Correction
IDOC Data Sensitivity Classification - L3 Restricted
6. Uniform Maintenance, Use, and Appearance
When reporting for duty, staff members must ensure their uniforms are clean, pants pressed,
and in serviceable condition, and that footwear, if black, is clean and polished. Uniform
accessories must be maintained in proper working condition and leather items must be kept
dyed and shined.
Uniforms must fit staff properly. Shirts must be tucked in and all shirt buttons except the top
button, must be fastened. Pant legs length must be properly tailored to ensure they do not
touch the floor. A waist belt must be worn at all times.
Uniforms are only worn during duty hours and when traveling to and from work. Uniformed
staff members are required to wear only those uniforms and uniform items authorized in this
standard operating procedure. Civilian clothing must not be worn with any part of the
uniform.
Belt clip badge may only be worn while on duty or during departmental functions such as
meetings, trainings, conferences, etc.
7. Uniform Initial Issue
New employees receive their initial uniform issue during New Employee Orientation. An
initial issue is described in the Idaho Department of Correction Uniform List.
At the end of their probationary period, new employees should receive an additional uniform
issue for a total of five complete uniforms.
8. Foul-Weather and Post-Specific Items
Employees may choose to take one or both headgear items with their initial issue. The
uniform coordinator can issue headgear anytime during the year based on changes to an
employee’s duty post and/or weather conditions. Normally, once headgear is issued, it is
retained as part of the employee’s uniform issue.
The facility head or designee may authorize additional items for staff members assigned to
certain posts:
• Foul weather gear: such as, but not limited to, GOR-TEX® clothing, insulated
coveralls, gloves, raincoat, and water-proof boots
• Post specific: work projects, investigations, and maintenance staff may be issued
heavy duty or additional items such as, but not limited to, fire-rated boots, electrical
hazard-rated boots, reinforced clothing, upgraded flashlight, lighter weight or cooler
clothing for warm weather. However, no deviation from the approved colors can be
made without approval from the division chief
When other items require replacement, the reissue of items occurs once a year or when
needed on an exchange basis. The uniform coordinator determines when uniform items
require replacement.
9. Personal Appearance and Grooming Standards
While on duty, all staff must be well-groomed and neat in appearance and must maintain
good personal hygiene.
Control Number:
122.02.01.002
Version:
5.0
Title:
Uniforms and Officer Appearance

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Idaho Department of Correction
IDOC Data Sensitivity Classification - L3 Restricted
Hair – General
Hair length can offer an advantage to an assailant and may present a problem in the
proper fitting and in the wearing of necessary security and emergency equipment.
Hair must not, in any manner, interfere with vision.
Styles must be neatly combed, conventional, and conservative in accordance with the
following standards:
• Clean and neatly groomed
• Must be kept out of the eyes, be professional-looking, and not impede performance
of duties
• No extreme haircuts (ex: number, initials, or designs)
• Hairpieces or wigs worn on duty must conform to the same standards as stipulated
for natural hair
• Must not extend below the upper shoulder blade on the back of the uniform shirt. If
hair is longer, it must be worn up in a professional style such as a bun, French
braiding, ponytail, or cornrows. Banana clips and hair sticks are not authorized.
• Full beards, goatees, sideburns, and mustaches cannot exceed one inch in length
and must be clean and neatly trimmed.
Employees wishing to grow facial hair must notify their supervisor in writing, so it does
not appear they are avoiding proper grooming. In areas or positions where an employee
is required to wear a breathing apparatus, beards must not interfere with the sealing of
the equipment. A new ID is required when facial hair is grown or shaved off.
Exceptions
Exceptions to the grooming standards may be granted for religious or medical reasons.
Requests for exceptions must be submitted to the facility HR representative in writing
and be maintained in the employee’s on-site personnel file.
Fingernails – General
Uniformed staff’s fingernails must not extend 1/8 inch beyond the end of the fingertip.
10. Jewelry
Jewelry must be conservative and professional.
• Rings are limited to two. Examples include, but or not limited to, wedding,
ceremonial, service, or class ring.
• Ear piercings: If an employee chooses to wear earrings, they must be a standard
post style (No hoops, barbells, or open gauges are allowed in any portion of the ear.)
• Ears are not to be gauged larger than a ½ inch. If gauged larger than a normal stud
piercing, plugs must be worn.
• Facial piercings are not allowed.
• Regular watches are authorized.
Control Number:
122.02.01.002
Version:
5.0
Title:
Uniforms and Officer Appearance

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Idaho Department of Correction
IDOC Data Sensitivity Classification - L3 Restricted
Any style smartwatch must fall in line with SOP 510.02.01.001, Facility Access and will
require an approved Cell Phone Authorization Form for Correctional Facilities.
11. Tattoos
Visible tattoos must not display images that are crude, offensive, STG-related, or sexual in
nature.
DEFINITIONS
None
REFERENCES
SOP 507.02.01.011, Firearms
SOP 510.02.01.001, Facility Access
IDOC Uniform List
IDOC Uniform Inventory form

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