This document establishes dress standards for uniformed personnel at OC Animal Care. It outlines required and optional uniform items for different units, including Community Outreach, Canvassing, Customer Services, Field Operations, and Shelter Services. Standards specify colors and types of shirts, trousers, jackets, belts, shoes and other accessories for each unit. The policy aims to provide a professional and uniform appearance when representing the county and interacting with the public. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring employees comply with the dress code.

1. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 1
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
I. PURPOSE
To establish acceptable standards for appearance and the proper wearing of uniforms.
II. POLICY
Employees who are provided uniforms by OC Animal Care are required to wear the
uniform while performing their duties. The Director may waive this requirement at
his/her discretion, for such reason as he/she determines valid. Due to the nature of animal
care, supervision is authorized to make minor modifications consistent with the safety
and health of employees assigned to that function. Any personal items of adornment that,
in the judgment of the Director, are inconsistent with an acceptable uniform appearance
shall not be worn. Any questions arising from the intent or implementation of this policy
shall be addressed in writing and be routed through the chain of command.
An employee’s personal appearance including uniform appearance and grooming habits
will be included in the employee’s Performance Evaluation Report under the section
relating to Work Habits.
It is expected that those in uniform, on or off-duty, shall act in a professional manner and
not allow any of their actions to bring discredit upon themselves or the County. The
public cannot be expected to know when the uniformed employee is not on-duty. For this
reason, uniformed employees are to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous
manner during the entire work shift. No inappropriate personal activities (e.g., jogging,
grocery shopping, house painting, lawn trimming, etc.) are to be performed while in
uniform.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all uniformed employees.
IV. FORMS
Not applicable.
V. REFERENCES
Not applicable.

2. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 2
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Required Uniform Items – Community Outreach Team
The following shall be worn for off-site presentations and meetings.
1. Trousers: charcoal or khaki County issued trousers.
2. Shirts: various colored County issued button down shirts.
3. Jackets: various colored County issued jackets or “hoodies”.
4. Socks: socks or stockings that can be seen between the shoe top and
trouser leg must be black or brown when wearing long County issued
trousers. When wearing shorts, socks must be black, brown or white.
5. Shoes: appropriate dress shoe in black or brown.
6. Belts: County issued black or brown belt. Belt buckles must be chrome or
silver and non-ornamental.
7. Optional items.
a. Hats: charcoal or khaki County issued baseball cap. Or, an
approved straw or canvas style hat to provide greater sun
protection. Canvas or straw hats that are not County issued must
be free of all unauthorized lettering, writing, patches, decals, pins,
or any other type of adornment.
b. Sunglasses: conventional shades of color only. Light to dark
brown, dark green, black are acceptable. Silver or other reflective
lenses and ornamental frames or colored straps are not permitted.
Sunglasses are not to be worn indoors.
c. Shorts: County issued charcoal grey or khaki shorts may be worn.
Shorts must be no shorter than seven (7) inches above the middle
of the knee and no longer than five (5) inches from the middle of
the knee. Shorts are not to be worn on rainy days.
The following shall be worn for routine on-site work days.

3. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 3
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
8. Trousers: Employees are to supply their own trousers. Trousers shall be
clean and free of tears, holes, patches and in good condition.
9. Shirts: various colored County issued polo style shirts.
10. Jackets: various colored County issued jackets or “hoodies”.
11. Socks: brown, black or white socks
12. Shoes: shoes/boots may be low cut or high top, leather or leather and
nylon combination with a plain toe and no excessive overlapping seams.
B. Required Uniform Items – Canvassing Unit
The following shall be worn by Animal Care Service Representatives/Canvassing
Unit.
1. Trousers: charcoal or black County issued trousers and shorts.
2. Shirts: County issued polo style shirts in black, burgundy, stone, gray and
black.
3. Jackets: black heavy jackets and black or lightweight County issued
jackets.
4. Socks: socks or stockings that can be seen between the shoe top and
trouser leg must be black when wearing long trousers. When wearing
shorts, socks must be black.
5. Shoes: shoes/boots may be low cut or high top, leather or leather and
nylon combination with a plain toe and no excessive overlapping seams.
If wearing trousers, shoes/boots must be all black including soles and
heels. If wearing shorts, shoes/boots must be black.
6. Belts: black, un-tooled, nylon or basket weave design.
a. The belt will be at least one and one-half inches in width and no
more than two and one-half inches in width.
b. Belt buckles must be chrome or silver and non-ornamental.
c. Belt accessories must be black, un-tooled, nylon or basket weave
design.
7. Optional Uniform Items
These items may be worn with the County issued uniform. These items
are to be kept clean, neat, and functional in order to aid in performance of
duties.

4. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 4
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
a. Hat: charcoal or khaki County issued baseball cap. Or, an approved
straw or canvas style hat to provide greater sun protection. Canvas
or straw hats that are not County issued must be free of all
unauthorized lettering, writing, patches, decals, pins, or any other
type of adornment.
b. Sunglasses: conventional shades of color only. Light to dark
brown, dark green, black are acceptable. Silver or other reflective
lenses and ornamental frames or colored straps are not permitted.
Sunglasses are not to be worn indoors.
c. Undershirts (t-shirts): If open to public view, shirts must be white,
non-ornamental and not frayed. The shirt must not be exposed past
the sleeve when worn with the County issued polo shirt.
d. Shorts: County issued charcoal grey or black shorts may be worn.
Shorts must be no shorter than seven (7) inches above the middle
of the knee and no longer than five (5) inches from the middle of
the knee. Shorts are not to be worn on rainy days.
C. Required Uniform Items – Customer Services
The following shall be worn by Customer Service employees assigned to the
Clerical Unit.
1. Trousers: Employees are to supply their own trousers. Trousers shall be
clean and free of tears, holes, patches and in good condition.
2. Shirts: various colored County issued polo style shirts.
3. Jackets/Sweaters: various colored County issued jackets/sweaters.
4. Optional Uniform Items
These items may be worn with the County issued uniform. These items
are to be kept clean, neat, and functional in order to aid in performance of
duties.
a. Shorts: Customer Services staff is permitted to wear their own
shorts from June 1 through October 1 only. Shorts must be no
shorter than seven (7) inches above the middle of the knee and no
longer than five (5) inches from the middle of the knee. Shorts are
not permitted on rainy days during the allotted time period.

5. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 5
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
D. Required Uniform Items – Field Operations
1. Trousers: green County issued trousers/BDUs.
2. Shirts: tan County issued polo style or long or short sleeved button down
shirts. Black polo style as authorized.
3. Jackets: County issued black “Chill-chaser” or windbreaker style utility
jackets with Orange County Animal Control patches. Senior and
Supervising Field Officers may wear County issued green “Chill-chaser”
or windbreaker style utility jackets with Orange County Animal Control
patches. Black sweater as authorized for desk assignments.
4. Socks: socks or stockings that can be seen between the shoe top and
trouser leg must be black when wearing long trousers/BDUs. When
wearing shorts, socks must be a dark green which match or closely
approximate the color of the shorts.
5. Shoes: shoes/boots may be low cut or high top, leather or leather and
nylon combination with a plain toe and no excessive overlapping seams.
If wearing trousers/BDUs, shoes/boots must be all black including soles
and heels. If wearing shorts, shoes/boots must be tan.
6. Belts: black, un-tooled, nylon or basket weave design.
a. The belt will be at least one and one-half inches in width and no
more than two and one-half inches in width. Field officers may
wear an over belt of the “Sam Browne” or “Sally Browne” type.
b. Belt buckles must be chrome or silver and non-ornamental.
c. Belt accessories must be black, un-tooled, nylon or basket weave
design.
7. Accoutrements
a. County issued badge for Field Operations and Supervising Shelter
Services personnel. A division approved cloth badge may be worn
on jackets and on the front of the optional baseball-style cap.
b. Name tag.
c. Division approved collar rank insignia.
d. Service pin.
e. Qualification pin (e.g., “Cap-Chur Qualified” dart pin, Employee
of the Quarter/Year, etc.).
f. Section approved Special Designation pin.

6. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 6
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
8. Optional Uniform Items
These items may be worn with the county issued uniform. These items are
to be kept clean, neat, and functional in order to aid in performance of
duties.
a. Hat: black or dark green baseball-type cap. Hats must be free of
all unauthorized lettering, writing, patches, decals, pins, or any
other type of adornment.
b. Sunglasses: conventional shades of color only. Light to dark
brown, dark green, black are acceptable. Silver or other reflective
lenses and ornamental frames or colored straps are not permitted.
Sunglasses are not to be worn indoors.
c. Undershirts (t-shirts): If open to public view, shirts must be white,
non-ornamental and not frayed. The shirt must not be exposed past
the sleeve when worn with short sleeved uniform shirt.
d. Jumpsuits: County issued green jumpsuit in instances approved by
supervision.
e. Skirts: County issued green skirts may only be worn when
assigned to administrative office duties.
f. Shorts: County issued green shorts may be worn from June 1st
through October 1st only.
1) The length of the shorts must be no shorter than seven (7)
inches above the middle of the knee and no longer than five
(5) inches above the middle of the knee.
2) Field officers wearing shorts must carry in their vehicles
dark green trousers/BDUs (coveralls are acceptable).
These trousers must be able to be worn over shorts and be
capable of being put on without the removal of shoes.
g. Tie: to be worn with tan County issued long sleeved button down
uniform shirts only.
a. Male personnel may wear a black County issued four-in-
hand knotted tie with a break-away clip with a long sleeve
button down uniform shirt only.

7. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 7
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
b. Female personnel may wear a black County issued crossed
flat bow-style tie or a black County issued four-in-hand
knotted tie with a break-away clip with a long sleeve button
down uniform shirt only.
h. Gloves: County issued gloves shall be either black leather or green
knit driving gloves.
i. Rain Coats/Equipment: Rain gear is issued by the County.
Employee furnished rain gear may be worn provided it matches the
color of the County-issued gear.
E. Required Uniform Items - Shelter Services
1. Trousers: blue County issued trousers.
2. Shirts: various colored County issued polo-style shirts.
3. Jackets: County issued black “Chill-chaser” or windbreaker style utility
jackets
4. Socks: socks or stockings that can be seen between the shoe top and
trouser leg must be black when wearing long trousers. When wearing
shorts, socks must be black.
5. Shoes: shoes/boots may be low cut or high top, leather or leather and
nylon combination with a plain toe and no excessive overlapping seams.
Shoes/boots must be all black including soles and heels. If wearing shorts,
shoes/boots must be black.
6. Belts: black, un-tooled, nylon or basket weave design.
a. The belt will be at least one and one-half inches in width and no
more than two and one-half inches in width.
b. Belt buckles must be chrome or silver and non-ornamental.
7. Optional Uniform Items
These items may be worn with the county issued uniform. These items are
to be kept clean, neat, and functional in order to aid in performance of
duties.

8. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 8
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
a. Hat: black baseball-type cap. Or, an approved straw or canvas style
hat to provide greater sun protection. Hats .must be free of all
unauthorized lettering, writing, patches, decals, pins, or any other
type of adornment.
b. Sunglasses: conventional shades of color only. Light to dark
brown, dark green, black are acceptable. Silver or other reflective
lenses and ornamental frames or colored straps are not permitted.
Sunglasses are not to be worn indoors.
c. Undershirts (t-shirts): If open to public view, shirts must be white,
non-ornamental and not frayed. The shirt must not be exposed past
the sleeve when worn with short sleeved uniform shirt.
d. Jumpsuits: County-issued green jumpsuit.
e. Shorts: County issued blue shorts may be worn. Shorts are not to
be worn on rainy days.
f. Gloves: County issued gloves shall be either black leather or green
knit driving gloves.
g. Rain Coats/Equipment: Rain gear is issued by the County.
Employee furnished rain gear may be worn provided it matches the
color of the County-issued gear.
F. Standards of Wear
These standards are intended to provide a uniform professional appearance to
those representing OC Animal Care. All County issued uniforms shall be size
appropriate. Those wearing uniforms shall always keep themselves and their
uniforms clean and neat. Supervisors are charged with the responsibility of
ensuring that each uniformed employee under their supervision reflects a credible
appearance to the public and a positive image of this division. Uniformed
employees who are not in compliance with this policy will be required to correct
deficiencies before being allowed to perform or continue their duties. Extra help
or newly hired employees may temporarily be allowed to deviate from uniform
standards upon approval from the Director.
1. Court Appearance: Officers appearing in court shall comply with the
following dress standards:
a. Long trousers/BDUs.
b. Short or long sleeved button down uniform shirt.

9. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 9
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
c. If a long sleeved shirt is worn, it will be with sleeves buttoned and
a tie.
2. Field/Kennel/ Clerical Duty
Personnel performing field/kennel/clerical duties shall comply with the
following:
a. Long or short sleeved button down uniform or polo style shirt.
b. If a long sleeved shirt is worn, it shall be with sleeves buttoned.
c. Both long and short sleeved button down uniform and polo style
shirts may only have the top collar button opened when the tie is
not being worn.
d. The shirt collar will remain inside when any outer garment is worn.
e. Shirt pockets shall always remain buttoned.
f. For those employees wearing County issued trousers, both long
and short sleeved button down uniform and polo style shirts are to
be tucked in to trousers/BDUs at all times.
3. Public Speaking Engagements
The uniform for public speaking engagements shall be at the discretion of
the Director and shall be announced as the occasion arises.
4. Cosmetics
The use of cosmetics shall be conservative in nature and remain consistent
with professional standards.
5. Fingernails
a. Employees shall keep their fingernails at a length that will not
interfere with the performance of their duties and which will not
cause injury if broken.
b. Colors that do not detract from the uniform are recommended.

10. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 10
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
6. Jewelry
Due to the nature of animal control work, it is recommended that no
jewelry be worn on duty. Employees will not wear jewelry that could
interfere with the performance of their duties or cause injury.
a. Watch bands shall be consistent with uniform standards and should
not detract from the uniform.
b. Employees with pierced ears shall wear post-type earrings.
Earrings should be consistent with uniform standards and not
detract from the uniform, or cause injury during the performance
of duties.
c. Facial piercings shall not be visible while in uniform.
7. Hair
a. Employees may wear contemporary hair styles consistent with an
acceptable appearance while in uniform.
b. Hair styles and color should not detract from a professional
appearance customarily associated with the uniform standards of a
professional agency. Hair styles which promote a professional
attitude and indicate an employee’s competence in judgment are
highly encouraged.
c. Hair styles which hang lower than the bottom of an officer’s
uniform shirt collar must be secured so as to not provide a means
of injury.
d. Items used to secure hair are to be of one color, consistent with the
color of the uniform shirt and/or pants and not decorative in
appearance.
e. Facial hair shall be neatly trimmed and well maintained. Facial
hair must allow for proper seal of Cal OSHA required respirators.
G. Restrictions on Wearing of Uniforms and Equipment
1. Uniformed personnel who wear uniforms to and from work shall do so
only with identifying insignias covered from public view (e.g., Animal
Control patches and badges).

11. Number: 200.04
SUBJECT: DRESS STANDARDS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Page: 11
Date: 4/28/97
Approved: Director, Ryan Drabek Revised: 3/17/14
2. No distinguishable part of an official uniform shall be worn in conjunction
with civilian dress, except as authorized.
3. Changing into and out of uniform is to be conducted in the locker room or
restroom and not in plain view of the public (e.g., in the parking lot). The
only exception will be putting on or removing a cover up.