Chapter 3 – Personnel, Training, and Employee Relations

33020.4 Responsibility

• Wardens and Regional Parole Administrators

  • Each hiring authority shall designate specific assignments where custodial personnel have been exempted from wearing a uniform, or are not required to wear a uniform full-time.

  • Any exception to the standardized approved uniforms or equipment shall be requested in writing and forwarded to the appropriate Deputy Director for review and approval. The Deputy Directors’ approval shall be obtained prior to implementation.

• Inspections

  • Each hiring authority shall:

    • Establish a scheduled day during each week of annual Off Post Training (OPT), for Uniform-of-the-Day inspections. All custody staff will be inspected during their annually assigned OPT. Uniform-of-the-Day inspections for rank and file will be conducted weekly by the In-Service Training (ISTIn-Service Training) Lieutenant or Sergeant, the sergeants will be inspected by the ISTIn-Service Training Lieutenant and the lieutenants will be inspected by the Custody Captain. Inspections will be documented in the ISTIn-Service Training training file to ensure all uniformed staff are in full compliance with all uniform standards. Annual inspections shall not be scheduled on the same day as range or baton qualifications.

    • Uniform-of-the-Day: The custody staff member’s Uniform-of-the-Day is the approved uniform per the Uniform Specification Handbook they wear at their assigned post.

      • Custody staff working public posts (Visiting, Entrance Building, Transportation, Medical Guarding, etc.), including relief positions worked weekly, will be inspected in their Class A uniform.

      • Custody staff in regular non-public posts, will be inspected in their Class B uniform or Line Duty Shirt (LDS) with Line Duty Cargo Pant (Class C). One piece jumpsuits are not authorized for the annual inspection. Specialized units (Statewide Transportation, K-9Canine Officers, In-Service-Training staff, and Fire Camp Personnel) will be inspected in their unit approved uniform.

      • If an officer is unable to present themselves in a required uniform due to unforeseeable circumstances (i.e., gassing or the uniform is in evidence) they may present a receipt indicating the correct uniform has been purchased and may schedule a time with their supervisor to demonstrate uniform inspection compliance.

      • Supervisors are not precluded from individual discussions with officers or individual discussions with staff regarding the conditions of their uniforms or attire.

      • An official Class A hat is no longer required to be worn during an inspection of the Class A uniform; however, the Blazer Dress Jacket or Ike Jacket is still required, per the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Uniform Specification Handbook.

    • Enforce dress codes and personal grooming standards for all employees per DOMDepartment Operations Manual, chapter 3, article 21, Uniforms and Employee Grooming Standards.

• Supervisors and Managers

  • Supervisors and managers are expected to set a positive example for all staff regardless of classification. They are responsible for monitoring compliance of the departmental dress code and grooming standards.

  • Supervisors and Managers shall:

    • Conduct daily uniform and grooming inspections of all immediate subordinate staff.

    • Instruct employees to correct violations of uniform and grooming standards.

    • Report in writing to their immediate supervisor, any violation an employee fails to correct in a reasonable amount of time.

• Uniformed Employees

  • All uniform personnel shall:

    • Purchase and maintain all required uniforms, accessories, and equipment except items specifically exempted by this DOMDepartment Operations Manual article or the appropriate MOUMemorandum Of Understanding.

    • Furnish their own collar insignia, shoulder insignia, sleeve chevrons, shoulder patches, hat shield, and other required uniform equipment.

    • Maintain their uniform and approved equipment in clean, neat, and serviceable condition.

    • Wear the uniform in a manner that displays a professional approach to their assignment and is representative of the prestige of the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

    • Keep in mind that individual actions reflect on the entire Department as they represent the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in the public view.

• Non-peace Officer Employees

  • Clothing and Jewelry:

    • Non-peace officer employees shall wear clothing that is clean, neat, in good repair, and fits properly. All clothing and jewelry should project a professional and positive image.

    • In an institutional setting:

      • 1. Blue denim clothing or clothing similar to that worn by inmates shall not be worn.

      • 2. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum and should enhance a professional image.

      • 3. There will be no jewels, ornaments, rings or studs worn on visible facial areas other than the ear.

• Unauthorized Use of Departmental Uniforms

  •  Employees shall not wear CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation uniforms in any situation that would bring discredit to the CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation including, but not limited to:

    • Purchasing or drinking alcoholic beverages in public.

    • Entering a tavern, gambling hall, or nightclub (except if necessary in the performance of assigned duties).

    • Participating in political activities.

    • Participating in demonstrations or pickets.

    • Engaging in selling or soliciting activities.

    • Engaging in any other action or behavior which reasonable persons would deem inappropriate for a uniformed peace officer, e.g., conducting non-departmental business.