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926 - Department Badges

926.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department badge and uniform patch as well as the likeness of these items and the name of the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department are property of the Department (and OOCly the property of Briarmont Township sim) and their use shall be restricted as set forth in this policy.

926.2 POLICY

The Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department uniform badge shall be issued to department members, deputy sheriffs, as a symbol of authority and the use and display of departmental badges shall be in strict compliance with this policy. Only authorized badges issued by this department shall be displayed, carried or worn by members while on duty or otherwise acting in an official or authorized capacity.

If a Deputy Sheriff separated from The Department and the former deputy chooses to wear or bear the badge in any capacity, this maybe construed as HCSD Deputy Sheriff impersonation, even if the former deputy is employed as law enforcement elsewhere outside of the county. This may result in legal action and or their arrest for impersonating a deputy. (The former deputy if they do this will be strictly warned OOCly of IC consequences and sim administration will be notified)

926.2.1 NON-SWORN PERSONNEL

Departmental identification cards if issued to non-sworn personnel shall be clearly marked to reflect the position of the assigned employee (e.g. Office Manager, Dispatcher).

  • Non-sworn personnel shall not display any department badge except as a part of his/her uniform and while on duty, or otherwise acting in an official and authorized capacity.
  • Non-sworn personnel shall not display any department badge or represent him/herself, on or off duty, in such a manner which would cause a reasonable person to believe that he/she is a sworn peace officer.

926.2.3 RETIREE UNIFORM BADGE

Upon honorable retirement employees may purchase his/her assigned duty badge for display purposes. It is intended that the duty badge be used only as private memorabilia as other uses of the badge may be unlawful or in violation of this policy.

926.3 UNAUTHORIZED USE

Except as required for on-duty use by current employees, no badge designed for carry or display in a wallet, badge case or similar holder shall be issued to anyone other than a current or honorably retired peace officer.

Department badges are issued to all sworn employees for official use only. The department badge, shoulder patch or the likeness thereof, or the department name shall not be used for personal or private reasons including, but not limited to, letters, memoranda, and electronic communications such as electronic mail or web sites and web pages.

The use of the badge, uniform patch and department name for all material (printed matter, products or other items) developed for department use shall be subject to approval by the Sheriff.

Employees shall not loan his/her department badge or identification card to others and shall not permit the badge or identification card to be reproduced or duplicated.

926.4 PERMITTED USE BY EMPLOYEE GROUPS

The likeness of the department badge shall not be used without the expressed authorization of the Sheriff (and sim administration) and shall be subject to the following:

  • The employee associations may not use the likeness of the department badge for merchandise and official association business as it appears to represent the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department officially.
  • The likeness of the department badge for endorsement of political candidates shall not be used without the expressed approval of the Sheriff.

Department Uniform

926.5 HCSD DEPARTMENT UNIFORM

The currently authorized uniforms for duty wear shall WAZ Uniforms.

All Deputies, are required to wear the designated HCSD Deputy Sheriff Uniform for their Division.

The HCSD Deputy Sheriff Uniform consists of either:

WAZ PD Class-A Uniform WAZ PD Uniform WAZ PD Uniform Trousers WAZ PD Uniform Belt WAZ Military BDU Shirt (for CRU/SWAT team) WAZ Military BDU Pants (for CRU/SWAT team) Tools, Primary Sidearm/Firearms, Duty Belt, Shoes, Boots, Cowboy Boots are the deputy’s choice within stated departmental regulations Tactical gear beyond vests maybe worn but are subject to review by the Administration Division. Please refer to the setup instructions below for compatibility:

926.6 HCSD DUTY HELMET

The only helmet authorized for wear with the uniform apparel shall be A HW Police Helmet in Brown/Beige or Beige/Brown.

It maybe worn for emergency situations, when approved by competent authority or for mounted patrol unit duty instead of a hat.

The Sheriff or his designee may authorize the wearing of specialized helmets when necessary for specific duty use.

UNIFORM LOADOUT / UNIFORM SET-UP

  1. Unpack the [WAZ] PD Uniform and wear the appropriate size for your avatar. The color shirt should be the blue option. The pant color should be Khaki, with gold stripes.
  2. Locate the Deputy Sheriff’s Kit in the locker room and obtain a copy. The kit should contain a Deputy Sheriff’s badge, and a Briarmont Dispatch radio.
  3. Ensure the following is toggled:
  4. Metal: Gold
  5. Metal Badge: On
  6. Name Badge: On
  7. Flag Pin: Optional, may elect to wear or not
  8. Collar Pin: SHERIFF for Deputy Sheriffs, rank insignia beyond SHERIFF is for deputy sheriff is promoted to specific granted ranks
  9. Uniform Color, Shirt: Khaki
  10. Sleeves: Long or Short
  11. WAZ PD Uniform Arm Patch UUID:
  12. Uniform Color, Pants: Khaki
  13. Side Stripe Color: Gold
  14. Vest Color: Tan
  15. Patch Options: Front Left - SHERIFF (in yellow); Back - SHERIFF (in yellow)
  16. Shoulder Mic (black)
  17. Body Camera (must be physically worn at all times to be considered in use.)
  18. To edit the patches, wear the uniform HUD and input the UUID for the custom patch texture.
  19. Your name tag should be worn on your right and your shield on the left above the breast pockets [WAZ] PD Uniform Set (Khaki) or PD Class-A Uniform Set
  • Duty Belt
  • [WAZ] PD Uniform Belt, Sombre or EPIA or similar duty belt
  • [WAZ] PD Handcuffs, Sombre, or similar handcuffs
  • Brown, Tan, Beige, Boots or Shoes
  • Any brand is allowed provided they fit with the uniform and do not have a high heel. Any questions, please reach out to the Sheriff, Undersheriff, Captain, or Office Manager.
  • Deputy Sheriff Kit (will be given upon hire)
  • Hartwell County Sheriff Department Badge – Deputy Sheriff
  • Briarmont County Dispatch (/7 is how to use this radio and contact Dispatch)
  • Primary Sidearm
  • E.g. SAC/SSOC 1911 Operator 2
  • Non-Lethal Weapon (Taser & Baton)
  • E.g. Sombre Taser, or SH Taser (male) / (female), TF Stun Gun
  • E.g. Sombre Baton
  • Examples of a proper uniformed loadout of WAZ HUD uniformed equipment:
  • Body Armors such as:
  • WAZ PD Duty Vest
  • WAZ Ballistic Tactical Vest
  • SH Police Kevlar Armor M Khaki
  • Tactical Plate Carrier
  • If you are not comfortable with editing items in SecondLife, please consult with a Field Training Officer or Supervisor or the Administration Bureau for assistance.

Mounted Patrol MOUNTED PATROL Deputy Sheriffs may elect to use Mounted Horseback Units instead of or as an alternative to motor vehicle patrols.

Sheriff tack UUID: b3227189-8d2a-6c3c-e190-de2aec0f51af Deputies are encouraged to use of a riding helmet, patrol helmet, or a hat whilst mounted. California law AB 974 requires riders or their animals are required to wear reflective gear or a lamp when riding after sundown. Do note that a person under the age of 18 to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet when riding an equestrian animal on a paved road. Equestrian animals include horses, mules and donkeys.

AB 974 doesn’t apply to riders in a parade or festival, or when crossing a paved road from an unpaved one.

VEHICLE OPERATIONS IN-CAR CAMERA POLICY The HCSD has adopted the use of IC in-car camera systems to accomplish the following objectives:

  • To enhance personnel safety.
  • To document events and statements during the course of an incident.

The system will automatically record at all times. The footage is sent to our servers and stored there for 90 days.

The footage is infinitely saved when:

  • vehicle emergency lighting has been activated.
  • a vehicle collides with another object at a force sufficient to activate installed sensors.

Temporary Modified-Duty Assignments

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