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2005 SESSION
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 15.2-1610 and 15.2-1612 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 15.2-1610. Standard uniforms and motor vehicle markings to be adopted by sheriffs.
A. Except as provided in § 15.2-1611, all uniforms used
by sheriffs and their deputies and police officers under the direct control of
a sheriff while in the performance of their duties shall meet the standards
designated in subsection B, except as provided in § 15.2-1611 (i) easily
identify local law-enforcement officers to members of the public, (ii) be of a
design and style approved by the sheriff of the locality, and (iii) be worn
according to the policies established by the sheriff of the locality.
B. The specifications for a standard uniform are as
follows:
1. Shirts - Shirts shall be dark brown. White shirts may be
worn by supervisors at all times and by other personnel during the months of
April through September. An American flag patch is optional.
2. Shoulder patches - Each sheriff may designate shoulder
patches which need not be uniform.
3. Badges - Each sheriff shall designate badges which need
not be uniform.
4. Trousers - Trousers shall be taupe with a dark brown
stripe.
5. Hats - If used, hats shall be brown sheriff's style with
a crease in the center of the crown.
6. Shoes - A black or brown military style shoe or boot
shall be worn.
7. Leather accessories - All leather accessories shall be black
or dark brown.
8. Ties - Ties shall be dark brown or taupe.
9. Blouses, jackets and coats - These items shall be dark
brown with optional taupe trim as designated by the sheriff.
C. All marked motor vehicles used by sheriffs' offices
shall be solid dark brown or, with the concurrence of the local governing body
and the local sheriff, white, with a reflectorized gold, five-point star on
each front side door. The lettering on such stars shall say "Sheriff's
Office" in a half-circle above the Seal of the Commonwealth or the seal of
the jurisdiction. The name of the county or city shall be placed in a
half-circle below the Seal. The words "Sheriff's Office" shall be
placed on the rear of the trunk.
D C. All sheriffs' offices shall be in full
compliance with specifications for uniforms and motor vehicle markings, if the
sheriff prescribes that uniforms be worn and marked motor vehicles be utilized.
§ 15.2-1612. Wearing of same or similar uniforms by unauthorized persons.
Any unauthorized person who wears a uniform identical to or
substantially similar to the a standard uniform prescribed in
used by an office of sheriff in accordance with § 15.2-1610 with the intent
to deceive a casual observer or with the intent to impersonate the office of
sheriff, shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. For purposes of this
section, "substantially similar" means so similar in appearance as to
be likely to deceive the casual observer.