Uniform and Appearance Standards

The Victoria Police Manual is issued under the authority of the Chief Commissioner in s.60, Victoria Police Act 2013. Non-

compliance with or a departure from the Victoria Police Manual may be subject to management or disciplinary action. Employees

must use the Code of Conduct – Professional and Ethical Standards to inform the decisions they make to support compliance.

Victoria Police Manual

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Uniform and Appearance Standards

Context

How employees present themselves as a representative of Victoria Police can have as much impact

upon the professional image and reputation of the organisation as their actions. When on duty an

employee’s individual style does not have precedence over the organisation’s responsibility to

provide a consistent and professional image and a safe workplace.

The Uniform and Appearance Standards details how employees should present themselves to align

with Victoria Police’s role as a disciplined law enforcement agency.

Contents

Context .......................................................................................................................................... 1 Contents ........................................................................................................................................ 1 Definitions ..................................................................................................................................... 2 Policy ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Governance ................................................................................................................................... 3 Uniform Standards ........................................................................................................................ 3

1. General Duties Uniform ................................................................................................... 3 2. Formal attire ..................................................................................................................... 5 3. Wearing uniform off duty ................................................................................................ 5 4. Wearing general protective clothing and equipment ........................................................ 6 5. Plain clothes standards for members ................................................................................ 6 6. Police members performing an analytical function .......................................................... 7

Disposal, return and retention of uniform items ........................................................................... 7 Grooming and accessories............................................................................................................. 7

7. Application and interpretation .......................................................................................... 7 8. VPS employees ................................................................................................................ 8 9. Specific requirements for members .................................................................................. 8 10. Police Custody Officers ................................................................................................... 9 11. Body Art and Modification .............................................................................................. 9

Protective Clothing for VPS employees ..................................................................................... 11 12. Requirements for VPS employee with specialist clothing needs ................................... 11 13. Property Officers ............................................................................................................ 11 14. Police Custody Officers ................................................................................................. 11

Identification and Awards ........................................................................................................... 11 15. Identification cards ......................................................................................................... 11 16. Name tags ....................................................................................................................... 12 17. Wearing medals and awards ........................................................................................... 13

Variations to uniform and appearance standards ........................................................................ 13 18. Local standards for workplaces ...................................................................................... 13 19. Local standards for individuals ...................................................................................... 13 20. Permanent variation........................................................................................................ 13

Appendix 1: Standards for specific uniform items...................................................................... 15 Appendix 2: Uniform Level Standards and Entitlements ........................................................... 17

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Vic tor ia Po l i ce Manua l

– Un i fo rm and Appearance S tandards

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Appendix 3: Property Officer allocation levels and replacement timeframes ............................ 18 Appendix 4: Police Custody Officer allocation levels and replacement timeframes .................. 19 Appendix 5: Wearing medals and awards ................................................................................... 20 Further advice and information ................................................................................................... 20 Update history ............................................................................................................................. 21

Definitions

• Uniform Level Standards – Standards for uniform issue: Levels 1-4 based on overall weather

condition assessments.

• Ceremonial/formal duties – include graduations, funerals, award and medal presentations,

interviews, court appearances and other significant events.

• Made to measure – custom made ceremonial uniform items made by a qualified tailor.

• Officer – a police member of the substantive rank of Inspector, or above.

• Prosecutors – a police member authorised by the Superintendent, Prosecutions Division to

wear formal attire when at court.

• Academy staff – staff nominated by the Assistant Commissioner, People Development

Command to wear formal attire for ceremonial/formal duties.

Also refer to the general VPM Dictionary for definitions and acronyms.

Policy

Victoria Police employees are required to project an image that is consistent with a professional and

disciplined law enforcement agency. Therefore:

• employees’ clothing, grooming and personal accessories:

- must project a favourable image of Victoria Police as a professional and

disciplined organisation

- must not be extreme or detract from the need to present as employees of a

professional and disciplined organisation.

• when applying these standards, employees must bear in mind they are to:

- present a neat, clean and professional image

- provide a clearly identifiable presence to the community

- contribute to their own personal health and safety.

• any dress standards or specialist clothing should be appropriate to the workplace

and the duties performed by the employees. The standards should be readily

available and communicated to employees

• Work Unit Managers and supervisors have a responsibility for ensuring that the

dress and appearance of their employees reflects and supports the professional

image of Victoria Police and that these standards are enforced.

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Governance

The Uniform, Appearance and Equipment Committee (UAEC) formulates policy and makes

determinations in relation to uniform, appearance and equipment issues. UAEC is responsible for

approving permanent variations to the authorised uniform, appearance and equipment standards.

UAEC will rely on specialist advisors and the assistance of the Uniform Advisory Group (UAG) to

provide advice on operational issues and risks associated with uniform, appearance and equipment

requests.

A Department Head of a specialist group may authorise non-standard equipment and uniform items

for the use of the specialist group provided it does not create an unacceptable organisational

precedent, complies with the organisation’s professional image and branding consistency

requirements, meets OHS and other minimum performance standards and is accompanied in each

instance with a documented risk assessment.

To ensure these requirements have been met, a Department Head on approving non-standard

equipment or uniform items for specialist groups must refer the decision together with the risk

assessment to UAEC, prior to procurement of the items.

Uniform Standards

1. General Duties Uniform

1.1 General requirements

Police members are provided with a range of uniform and protective clothing choices.

Members have the discretion as to what items they wear from day to day provided that

there is consistency with the following principles:

• their decisions are consistent with the overarching policy for uniform and

appearance

• they choose items that are appropriate for the duties being performed, taking into

consideration:

- types of duties, e.g. operational, administrative

- location of duties, e.g. in police premises, in public

- environmental conditions.

• they consider whether ceremonial/formal duties are involved. If so, formal attire

should be worn (see section 2)

• they are not subject to a local standard (see section 15)

• they apply the standards for use of specific uniform items, as outlined in the table at

Appendix 1

• to maintain a professional image of Victoria Police, a mixture of plain clothes and

uniform, on or off duty, should not be worn.

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1.2 Classification of work units and entitlements

• There are four Uniform Level Standards as listed in Appendix 2. Each police station

has been classified against the four Uniform Level Standards (see Uniform Level

Standards intranet page).

• Department Heads are responsible for assigning an appropriate classification level

to each of their work units other than a police station. In determining a work unit’s

classification consideration is to be given to the response zones/police service

areas/divisions the work unit actually works, as well as the:

- nature of the work unit’s duties

- weather conditions for their work area

- member’s health and safety.

• A department head or the UAEC can vary the application of the Uniform Level

Standards in specific circumstances associated with the:

- nature of the work unit’s duties

- weather conditions of the work area

- member’s health and safety.

• Members are entitled to uniform items from particular levels when they hold an

ongoing position at a work unit with that classification.

• Members performing duties in a higher level area for an extended period of time

may be entitled to the respective uniform items. Approval of the Local Area

Commander of the higher level area is required. The Local Area Commander should

consider:

- duration and nature of the duties

- likelihood of exposure to weather conditions and the members health and

safety

- whether station issue or retained protective clothing can be used.

• Ceasing of entitlement:

- a member is required to return level 3 or 4 outer shell clothing to the Work Unit

Manager on transfer to a lower classified area

- returned clothing is to be checked for serviceability and cleaned. The clothing

may be used as a Unit resource, reissued or returned to the Logistical Support

Branch

- in other cases, return outer shell protective clothing to the Logistical Support

Branch.

1.3 Items and replacement timeframes

• The replacement timeframes for uniform items are guides only. Members are

encouraged to use items for as long as they remain serviceable, rather than

automatically ordering replacement items when the relevant timeframe elapses.

• When ordering new garments, approval of the member’s Work Unit Manager is

required.

• The Work Unit Manager should inspect and assess existing items before giving

approval, where appropriate. Generally, this assessment should be conducted for

outer garments or items that are infrequently worn.

• See Appendix 2 for replacement schedule and permitted quantities of uniform

items.

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2. Formal attire

2.1 General requirements

Formal attire must be worn as follows:

Member Formal attire requirement

• Officer attending

ceremonial/formal duties

• Prosecutors when attending

court and as directed by the

Superintendent, Prosecutions

Division

• Academy staff when performing

ceremonial duties as directed by

the Assistant Commissioner,

People Development Command

• Tunic (made to measure)

• Long sleeved shirt

• Trouser or skirt (made to

measure)

• Black tie

• Peak cap

• All other members and PSOs

attending ceremonial/formal

duties

• Long sleeved shirt

• Office trouser

• Black tie

• Peak cap

• A long or short sleeved ballistic vest undergarment may be worn underneath the

long sleeved shirt provided it does not detract from overall appearance.

• The pullover or operational jacket may be worn over the long sleeve shirt during

cold weather.

• Medals and awards may be worn on the long sleeved shirt. For further guidance on

wearing medals and awards refer to the Style Guide: Awards and Honours.

2.2 Mess dress

• Commissioners and Commanders are entitled to personal issue mess dress.

• Other Officers are required to apply to their Department Head for personal issue

mess dress.

• All Officers may retain their mess dress on retirement or resignation, except if they

retire or resign under investigation.

3. Wearing uniform off duty

Uniform may be worn off duty in the following circumstances:

• travelling to or from work

• at designated ceremonial occasions

• for charity, corporate or community events, with the approval of an Inspector or

above.

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4. Wearing general protective clothing and equipment

4.1 Sun protection

Ultra violet (UV) radiation – members should consider wearing clothing and equipment

that protects them from UV radiation, bearing in mind the nature of their duties,

weather conditions, time of the year and time of day.

Protective equipment – where exposure to UV radiation is a risk, use the following

protective measures:

• wear appropriate headdress during daylight hours; the highest level of protection is

provided by:

- the broad brimmed hat provides the most protection

- baseball cap with back flap attached.

• wear sunglasses

• apply SPF 30+, broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen; obtain sunscreen from

Logistical Support Branch.

4.2 Cold or wet weather clothing

Members should wear personal or station issue protective clothing required for the

weather conditions and duties being performed.

4.3 High visibility clothing

Members are provided with reflective vests and other high visibility clothing that

enables the wearer to be easily seen in all light and weather conditions. There are

mandatory requirements for wearing these items when performing patrol duties, road

policing duties, or when being in close proximity to moving vehicles; see VPM

Operational safety equipment. In other situations, members are encouraged to wear

clothing when performing duties where enhanced visibility would be of assistance to

the public and members.

5. Plain clothes standards for members

5.1 General standards

Police members performing plain clothes duties should wear business standard clothing

as follows:

• males – a business suit, tie and business style footwear

• females – a business suit or other appropriate professional attire, business footwear.

The Divisional Manager may establish specific or temporary standards (e.g. summer

dress) for workplaces within their Division.

5.2 Carriage of operational safety equipment

Clothing worn should enable members to carry and access operational safety

equipment securely and safely. For example, trousers or skirts should have belt loops to

secure the equipment belt.

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6. Police members performing an analytical function

• Police members who are performing an analytical function must wear uniform

unless the member performs duty as a Tactical Intelligence Officer attached to an

investigative unit, and the operational requirements of the role need civilian

clothing.

• Operational requirements may include, by are not limited to:

- interviewing offenders, suspects, witnesses, victims, members of the public or

potential human sources in connection with a criminal offence

- conducting surveillance for intelligence-gathering, or in connection with a

criminal offence

- participating in or executing warrants

- accompanying a detective in the course of an investigation

- attending the residence of a registered sex offender.

Civilian clothing allowance

• A member is entitled to payment of a civilian clothing allowance for the occasions

where they wear civilian clothing to carry out their work.

Allowance type Conditions Approval

• Daily • Infrequently needs to wear civilian

clothing for operational purposes

• Officer in charge

• Annual • Regularly needs to wear civilian

clothing for operational purposes;

and

• Unpredictably needs to wear civilian

clothing for operational purposes

• Inspector or

above

• Where an application for an annual civilian clothing allowance has been refused the

employee may request a review by an Assistant Commissioner.

Disposal, return and retention of uniform items

• When uniform items are no longer serviceable, members are required to dispose of

them in a manner that ensures they cannot be reused or are not identifiable as

uniform or clothing provided by Victoria Police.

• On resignation or retirement, members may retain cap badges and rank insignia

subject to VPMG Retention of issued equipment.

Grooming and accessories

7. Application and interpretation

The requirement for Victoria Police employees to present themselves in a manner which

is consistent with the organisation’s professional law enforcement role applies when

considering personal grooming and accessories.

Although these overarching requirements apply to all employees, specific standards

apply to members Police Custody Officers (PCOs) due to health and safety reasons and

because members and PCOs, particularly when in uniform, directly contribute to Victoria

Police’s image and reputation as a professional and disciplined organisation. Members

are reminded that when on duty, their responsibility to the organisation’s image has

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precedence over their need to express their individual style.

8. VPS employees

VPS employees may wear jewellery (including rings, earrings, necklaces or bracelets),

make-up and nail polish that are appropriate for representatives of a professional and

disciplined law enforcement organisation.

VPS employees may have piercings, provided they are discreet and do not create any

safety risks for the employee.

In accordance with section 15 of this policy, Work Unit Managers may establish local

standards in relation to VPS employees’ appearance if there is a specific business or

health and safety need.

The above paragraphs do not apply to PCOs. Refer to section 9 for the requirements

applicable to PCOs.

9. Specific requirements for members

9.1 Hair

Males’ hair is:

• to be clean, tidy and neatly trimmed

• not to be extreme in style and colour tones

• not to interfere with wearing of headdress and is not to be visible on the forehead

when wearing headdress of any kind

• not to extend below the top of the shirt collar at the back or extend below the top

of the ear at the sides. Ponytails, buns or similar styles are not permitted.

Females’ hair is:

• to be clean, tidy and neatly trimmed

• not to be extreme in style and colour tones

• not to interfere with wearing of headdress and is not to be visible on the forehead

when wearing headdress of any kind

• not to extend below the top of the shirt collar. Hair that is longer than the top of

the shirt collar is to be tied or pinned back and worn close to the head. For neatness

and safety reasons, pony tails or similar styles are not to be worn. Hair accessories

may be worn if they are of plain design and similar colour to the hair or the

uniform.

9.2 Facial hair

• Sideburns are permitted provided they:

- are clean, tidy and neatly trimmed

- do not extend beyond a horizontal line from the base of the ear lobe

- do not increase or decrease in width from top to bottom.

• Moustaches are permitted provided they:

- are clean, tidy and neatly trimmed

- do not extend beyond a vertical line from the outer edge of the eye or below

the bottom edge of the top lip.

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• Beards, goatees, soul patches or other forms of facial hair are not permitted.

9.3 Jewellery

• Members are permitted to wear the following items of jewellery:

- wrist watches

- minimal rings of conservative style

- emergency medical alert bracelets or pendants.

• Wearing of other jewellery, ornaments, adornments, or accessories is not permitted.

This includes, but is not limited to; earrings, spacers, any facial/body piercings,

plugs, tunnels, bars, chains, dental grills, etc.

9.4 Kirpans

• A kirpan may be carried by practicing Sikhs but is to be concealed under clothing at

all times.

• The kirpan is to be removed in circumstances that warrant removal of a firearm,

unless it is concealed under a ballistic vest.

9.5 Sunglasses

Members may wear issued or privately owned sunglasses during daylight hours.

Privately owned sunglasses should conform to the protective standards of issued

sunglasses and not be extreme in colour or design.

9.6 Make up

Make up and nail polish worn by members should be natural looking and in neutral

tones.

10. Police Custody Officers

The standards that apply to police members also apply to PCOs with the exemption of

facial hair. Beards, moustaches, sideburns, goatees and soul patches are permitted but

must be clean, tidy and neatly trimmed.

11. Body Art and Modification

11.1 Definitions

• ‘Body art’ includes tattooing, makeup, branding or other body art or ornamentation,

whether permanent or not, that decorates, changes or alters an employee’s

appearance.

• ‘Modification’ includes piercings, insertion of implants or ornamentation, whether

permanent or not, that modifies, decorates, changes or alters an employee’s

appearance and/or the form of an employee’s body.

• ‘Offensive or inappropriate’ body art or modification means body art or

modification that includes words, images or objects that are or could be perceived

to:

- be obscene, violent, defamatory, sexually explicit, discriminatory, harassing,

insulting, threatening or racially intolerant;

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- constitute sexual harassment or that are discriminatory or vilifying under state

or federal equal opportunity legislation; or

- be incompatible with the role of Victoria Police, likely to bring it into disrepute

or diminish public confidence in it.

• This policy does not:

- prohibit VPS employees or members from wearing jewellery, makeup or

sunglasses as permitted by sections 7 and 8 respectively;

- prohibit body art or modification of a cosmetic nature that is not apparent as

body art or modification (for example, ordinary caps and crowns on teeth, plain

cosmetic eyebrow tattoos, etc.)

- in any way limit the requirement that all employees project an image that is

consistent with a professional and disciplined law enforcement agency.

11.2 Requirements to cover or remove body art and modification while on duty

• All employees must cover or remove all offensive or inappropriate body art or

modification while on duty.

• In addition to the above:

- members must cover all body art located on the head or face while on duty

(regardless of whether it is offensive or inappropriate); and

- VPS employees must cover all body art located on the head or face while on

duty (regardless of whether it is offensive or inappropriate) where the employee

may have interaction with or exposure to the public or an external agency in the

course of their duties; and

- body art located on the neck must be covered as outlined above, except where

it is of a discreet size and colour and in a discreet location.

11.3 Local requirements to cover or remove body art or modification while on duty

• Work Unit Managers may establish local standards in accordance with section 15

and direct employees to cover or remove any body art or modification in the

following circumstances:

- it is necessary for employees to present a more consistent image for an

operation, event or particular role

- where it is reasonable to believe or expect that body art or modification may

have a particular impact on an individual or group. Where possible,

consideration should be given to the importance of prioritising the needs of the

community over the need to express individual style.

11.4 Exemptions

• Employees may seek a temporary exemption or a permanent variation to these

standards, in accordance with sections 16 and 17.

• Unless an employee has a temporary exemption or permanent variation, failure to

cover or remove body art or modification in accordance with these standards will

constitute non-compliance with, or a departure from, the Victoria Police Manual

and may be subject to management or disciplinary action.

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Protective Clothing for VPS employees

12. Requirements for VPS employee with specialist clothing needs

• Line Managers that are responsible for VPS employees:

- may establish dress and appearance standards for these employees

- must ensure that VPS employees with specialist clothing or protective

equipment needs, have access to such clothing and equipment.

• In some cases, clothing from the Level 1-4 items may be suitable for VPS employees

with specialist clothing needs. The purchase and wearing of these items requires the

authorisation of a Department Head.

13. Property Officers

• In addition to the general requirements of VPM Workplace standards and

management, the VPS Enterprise Agreement 2016 requires that VPS employees

who are Property Officers have access to an appropriate uniform.

• A risk assessment should be conducted by the Work Unit Manager to determine the

appropriate personal protective clothing required for the employee to perform their

duty in a safe manner. To meet relevant safety requirements, Property Officers may

wear Property Officer Uniform items. Once approved by a Delegate (Level 3),

Property Officer Uniform items may be allocated as detailed in Appendix 3.

14. Police Custody Officers

• VPS employees who are PCOs are supplied with a specific uniform and must wear it

when on duty.

• To maintain a professional image of Victoria Police, a mixture of plain clothes and

uniform, on or off duty, should not be worn. For ceremonial duties, unless otherwise

advised, PCOs are to wear their supplied uniform.

• PCO Uniform items may be allocated as detailed in Appendix 4.

Identification and Awards

15. Identification cards

15.1 Carriage

As required by the Professional and Ethical Standards, members are required to carry

their identification cards when on duty (except covert duty).

15.2 Display

Identification cards should be displayed as follows:

• members in uniform:

- outside police premises – do not display identification

- inside police premises – wearing identification is optional.

• members in plain clothes:

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- performing duties within police premises – display identification cards

- openly carrying firearms outside of police premises – display identification

cards.

When off duty, identification cards should be removed or concealed.

16. Name tags

16.1 Wearing

• Members in uniform are required to wear current issue name tags.

• Wearing of name tags is optional for members not in uniform and VPS employees.

• Members should also consider tag provisions listed in section 17 of this policy.

16.2 Standards

The following standards apply to the wording on name tags:

• required wording for:

- Police members and PSOs – first name or initial/s, surname and rank

- VPS employees – first name or initial/s and surname.

• permitted optional wording for:

- employees who speak another language and are National Accreditation

Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) qualified may include ‘I speak

*language*’ printed in the relevant language

- prosecutors may include ‘Prosecutor’

- employees may not include other wording (such as the names of their work unit

or position/role) without the approval of the Department Head.

16.3 Numbered tags

Members may be authorised to wear tags that detail only their registered number under

local or temporary arrangements relating to planned operations, or as a management

option relating to planned operations, or as a management option relating to THASM

(Threats Against Serving Members) files. The following details relate to this provision:

• use of numbered tags at planned operations is to be considered by members

preparing the Operation Order, which must be authorised by a Superintendent or

above. This decision will be made as part of the risk assessment component of the

operation planning process for the purpose of reducing threats that may occur

through members being identified by name tags

• where possible, there should be consistent usage within a group of either name or

numbered tags

• use of numbered tags should be detailed in operation orders in ‘dress of the day’

and communicated clearly through other operation tools, including joining

instructions

• wearing numbered tags may also be used as a strategy in the management of

active THASM files. Approval to wear numbered tags for this purpose must be

granted by the relevant Regional Commander/Department Head

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• wearing a numbered tag does not relieve any member of their responsibility when

requested to state their name, rank and place of duty (orally or in writing under

s.456AA(4), Crimes Act, or any other legislative or customer service requirements.

17. Wearing medals and awards

Guidance on wearing commonly held medals and awards is provided at Appendix 4. For

advice on wearing other medals and awards, contact the Honours and Awards Unit,

Human Resource Department.

Variations to uniform and appearance standards

18. Local standards for workplaces

18.1 Conditions

Local standards for uniform or appearance may be established on a temporary basis for

particular work units or for operations or events, if there is a documented specific

business or health and safety need. Examples of specific business needs for local

standards include:

• work units:

- mandatory wearing of broad brimmed hats by members working during the

day in summer months in specific locations to address health and safety risks.

• planned operations or events:

- mandatory wearing of peak caps and high visibility vests by members working

at sporting events to enhance visibility in crowded situations

- ‘dress of the day’ for ceremonial occasions to reflect a consistent, higher level of

dress; this may include wearing of medals and gloves.

18.2 Approval

Local standards may be established on a temporary basis by:

• Work units – the Work Unit Manager

• Planned operations/events or ceremonial occasions – the member in charge of the

event; the standards should be included in the operation order or communication

to members.

19. Local standards for individuals

Individual employees may require an exemption from the uniform and appearance

standards due to medical conditions, pregnancy, or to perform ‘fatigues’ or covert

duties. Individual exemptions require a Work Unit Manager’s approval and should only

be a particular day or set temporary period of time.

The Work Unit Manager should assess the requirement to allow an exemption, taking

into consideration the employee’s needs, the nature of their duties and the broader

aims of providing a professional and visible police presence. They may set conditions

for the exemption.

20. Permanent variation

Individual employees and workplaces may seek a permanent variation to the authorised

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uniform and appearance standards based on genuine medical, occupational health and

safety, cultural or religious grounds. Permanent variations for individuals are recorded

on HR Assist.

Workplaces and individual employees who wish to apply for a permanent variation are

required to submit a report, with relevant supporting documentation through line

management to a Divisional Commander, who is then to refer it to the Uniform

Appearance and Equipment Committee (UAEC):

• UAEC will assess applications taking into consideration the employee’s needs, the

nature of their duties and the broader aims of providing a professional and visible

police presence

• applicants will be granted an interim exemption from the section of the standards

for which they are seeking an exemption or variation until a decision is made on the

application

• if UAEC grants a permanent variation, they may set conditions for the variation

• once a permanent variation is granted, the UAEC Secretariat will arrange for a

record of this to be entered on HR Assist.

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Appendix 1: Standards for specific uniform items

Item Specific Standard

Headdress

General - choice of

• Baseball cap

• Broadbrim hat

• Peak cap

• Headdress should be worn at all times when outside in public to support:

- maximum public visibility

- members’ health and safety

• Headdress does not have to be worn: - when inside police or other premises

- when in a motor vehicle - when it is dangerous or inappropriate, such as courtrooms and

places of worship

• The headdress worn should be appropriate to: - the duties being performed;

- the rank of the position they own; and - the other uniform items being worn

• Members should consider their health and safety and choose

headdress that is appropriate to the environmental conditions, considering:

- weather conditions and the potential level of UV exposure

- nature of duties and likelihood of exposure to the conditions

Protective beanie • Members may wear protective beanies:

- during cold weather when outside for prolonged periods on patrol duties; including attendance at a crash site, remote

location searches and static point duties

- if it forms part of uniform for the day as directed by command (e.g. public gatherings in alpine regions).

UN Beret and badge • May be worn by members who currently or formerly have served with United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Forces on ceremonial

occasions with Victoria Police uniform.

Beret with RAMSI Participating Police Force

badge

• May be worn by members who currently or formerly attached to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) on

ceremonial occasions with Victoria Police uniform

Garments

Shirt (short or long sleeved)

• Shirts must be tucked in

• Shirt may be worn as an outer garment or under other outer garments

• Only the top button of the shirt is to be undone when not wearing a tie

• Sleeves of long sleeved shirts not to be rolled up

Ballistic vest

Undergarment

• Cannot be worn in lieu of a shirt

• Must only be worn with the ballistic vest over the top

• If members take off their ballistic vest, the ballistic vest undergarment must immediately be replaced by a uniform shirt.

Members may remain in the ballistic vest undergarment without the ballistic vest for offender processing, provided they:

- are within Victoria Police premises

- will be experiencing no other contact with people external to

Victoria Police; and - intend to continue wearing the ballistic vest for the remainder of

their shift.

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Item Specific Standard

Outer garments – choice

of

• Pullover

• Patrol Jacket

• Tunic

• Option worn should be appropriate for the duties being performed

• Patrol jacket should be zipped unless operational necessity requires otherwise and have the adjustable side flap/firearm slots fastened

• Tunic not to be worn if operational safety equipment is being carried

• Tunic to be fully fastened and worn with a tie and peak cap

Tactical Trouser • Members must maintain a professional appearance when wearing the tactical trouser. Members must not tuck the cuff of the tactical trouser leg in to their boots or overload the leg pocket.

• The leg pocket of the tactical trouser has been designed for light,

discreet items such as notebooks, Nitrile gloves or PBT straws. Members should take care not to overburden the leg pockets with

large or bulky items that will cause bulging, or with items that may prod or jab members during the course of duty.

• Members should apply common sense when determining what items

to place in the leg pockets of the tactical trouser, taking into consideration risk of potential injury, and professionalism of

appearance. For example, items that are considered unsuitable for storage in the leg pockets of tactical trousers include:

- Victoria Police accountable items - OSTT equipment

- Police car keys - Drug testing kits.

Accessories & Footwear

Tie • Optional when wearing a shirt, pullover or patrol jacket

• Required when wearing a tunic

• The tie tack should be aligned centrally with fourth button from the

neck.

Insignia of Rank • Wear the insignia for the currently held rank

• Insignia of new rank may be worn once the promotion becomes effective

• During a period of approved higher duties, police members may wear the insignia of the rank they are performing higher duties at.

• Officers, or members performing higher duties at Inspector rank or above may wear gorget patches on their shirt when not wearing a tie

• When wearing a tunic members are to wear the insignia of their substantive rank

• Insignia and gorget patches for members performing higher duties are to be sourced and issued by the work area where the higher

duties position is located. They are to be returned on when the period of higher duties is completed. Members may only apply for

personal issue insignia for a rank they do not hold with the approval of a Department Head.

Footwear • Shoes to be worn with formal attire

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Appendix 2: Uniform Level Standards and Entitlements

LEVEL 1 ENTITLEMENTS

Standard item Quantity Replacement

Shirts - long or short sleeved 6

12 months

Ballistic vest undergarment – short or long sleeve

Office or tactical trousers 2

Tie - no loop, standard loop, long loop (unisex) 2

Socks (either) – uniform

– heavy duty

12 pairs

6 pairs

Tie tacks 2

Baseball cap 1

18 months Protective beanie 1

Footwear – high cut, low cut boot or shoe 2

Uniform belt 1

2 years Belt buckle 1

Equipment belt and accessories 1

Coveralls 1

Pullover 1 5 years

Peak cap 1

Operational jacket 1 10 years

Optional item

Turban fabric - 8 metre length

(for use by Sikh members only)

3

Pantyhose (with 6 pairs of socks) (with made to measure skirt only)

40-50

Broadbrim hat (upon request) 1 18 months

Station Issue

Outer shell weatherproof jacket with high visibility vest

LEVEL 2 ENTITLEMENTS: Level 1 uniform plus following items

Personal issue item

Thermal undergarment –

Long johns Long sleeved crew neck t-shirt

2 pair 2 pair

Contact

Logistical Support Branch

Weather resistant gloves 1 pair

LEVEL 3 ENTITLEMENTS: Levels 1 & 2 uniform plus following items

Personal issue item

Outer shell weatherproof jacket with high visibility vest

1 Contact

Logistical Support Branch Outer shell weatherproof trousers 1

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LEVEL 4 ENTITLEMENTS: Level 1 uniform plus following items

Personal issue item

Thermal undergarment –

Long johns

Long sleeved crew neck t-shirt

2 pair

2 pair

Contact

Logistical Support Branch

Weatherproof outer shell jacket (snow specific) 1

Weatherproof outer shell trousers (snow specific) 1

Close fit tracksuit pants 2 pair

Vest wind-blocking type 1

Skivvy microfiber or similar 2 pair

Goggles (snow) 1

Sunglasses (snow) 1

Gloves (weatherproof, snow) 1

Boots, extreme cold weather 1

FORMAL GARMENT ENTITLEMENTS

Personal issue item

Made to measure tunic 1 3 years

Made to measure trousers 1

Appendix 3: Property Officer allocation levels and replacement timeframes

Allocation levels:

• five dark blue shirts (with property officer logo)

• two Crime Scene Officer pants

• two outer garments (fleece jacket); and

• one pair of lace-up, steel-capped black boots.

For initial order, see Logistical Support Branch site for suppliers.

Replacement level:

Item Qty Replacement

timeframe

Plain dark blue shirt 3 12 months

Dark blue cargo pants 2 12 months

Outer garment (jacket or pullover) 1 2 years

Lace-up, steel capped black boots 1 18 months

The Work Unit Manager may authorise an item to be replaced before the timeframe specified above

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where necessary.

Ordering Entitlements:

• Permanent assignments – VPS Property Officers that permanently own their

position are entitled to order all uniform items.

• Temporary assignments or requirements – VPS employees that temporarily occupy

a Property Officer position may be required to wear the uniform, or aspects of the

uniform, where they may be exposed to hazardous or dangerous materials/items

with the approval of a Delegate (Level 3).

Appendix 4: Police Custody Officer allocation levels and replacement timeframes

Item Qty Replacement

timeframe

Shirts – long or short sleeved 6

12 months

Ballistic vest undergarment – short or long

sleeve

Tactical trousers 2

Tie – no loop, standard loop, long loop (unisex) 1

Socks (either)

- uniform

- Heavy duty

6 pairs

Tie tacks 1

Equipment belt and accessories 1 2 years

Leather belt and buckle 1 2 years

Belt buckle 1 2 years

Footwear – high cut or low cut boot 2 18 months

Baseball cap 1

Jacket 1 5 years

Optional item

Turban fabric – 8.5 metre length

(for use by Sikh members only)

3

Note: ballistic vest undergarments are not to be worn by PCOs without a ballistic vest on top. The

exemption provided in Appendix 1 for members to wear the undergarment without the ballistic

vest does not apply to PCOs as they do not engage in offender processing.

The Work Unit Manager may authorise an item to be replaced before the timeframe specified

above where necessary.

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Appendix 5: Wearing medals and awards

• To wear the Public Service Medal, Australian Police Medal, and National Medal

refer to the Commonwealth Guidelines:

http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/awards/wearing.cfm

• To wear the Victoria Police Valour Award, Victoria Police Medal for Excellence,

Victoria Police Courage, Victoria Police Merit and Victoria Police Service Medal refer

to the following:

Dress Wearing

Shirt Ribbon bar – on right breast above name tag

Tunic Ribbon bar – on right breast above name tag

Patrol jacket, pullover or

overcoat

Ribbon bar – not worn

Official day time functions

(plain clothes)

If the function requires the wearing of medals

then full size medals are worn

Formal evening functions and

mess dress

Miniature medal – worn on the right lapel of

mess dress (2cm above the top of Victoria

Police badge) or on right breast of evening

dress/lounge suit

Further advice and information

For further advice and assistance regarding these Standards, contact your supervisor or the Uniform,

Appearance and Equipment Committee, PBEA: SECRETARIAT-UNIFORM-MGR.

http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/awards/wearing.cfm

mailto:SECRETARIAT-UNIFORM-MGR%20%[email protected]%3e

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Update history

DATE OF FIRST ISSUE 30/01/2015

DATE UPDATED SUMMARY OF CHANGE FORCE FILE NUMBER

27/07/15 Operational Safety and Tactics Training (OSTT) reintroduced as standard terminology.

D15/025242

03/10/16 Introduction of body art and modification policy; updates to correctly reflect UAEC’s Terms of Reference and update of template.

063877/10 & FF-104232

19/12/16 Inclusion of guidelines for PCOs. FF-104364

21/02/17 Inclusion of guidelines for TIOs. This replaces CCI 05/16. FF-107192

09/10/17 Inclusion of numbered tag provision FF-103019

08/04/19 Minor changes to terminology. IOEV removed and replaced with ballistic vest

FF-138597

05/06/20 Inclusion of protective beanies to level 1 entitlements for members, and additional options added to PCO uniform entitlements

FF-152613

Uniform and Appearance Standards

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