29.01 Uniforms

The respective Departments/Agencies covered by this Agreement shall provide uniforms to Law Enforcement bargaining unit employees when the uniform is required by the Departments/Agencies. Adequate distribution and replacement of uniforms will be maintained. When uniforms are provided by the Department/Agency, the employee shall wear the uniform during tour of duty hours as per Department policy and will be responsible for its safekeeping. An employee who fails to follow guidelines set forth by the Employer to safeguard uniforms or equipment or who willfully destroys the uniform may be charged for replacement on a fair “wear and tear” basis. Employees shall not wear uniforms while on off-duty status except when the employee is in route to and from work or on special assignments. Equipment and uniforms will be replaced or repaired by the Employer at no cost to members if the equipment is worn out, damaged or stolen through no fault of the employee. All employees provided uniforms by the Employer shall receive a uniform allowance for cleaning of one-hundredforty dollars ($140) each year, unless the Employer provides cleaning services. Effective July 1, 2004, employees provided uniforms by the Employer shall receive one hundred-fifty dollars ($150.00) each year, unless the Employer provides cleaning services. The Employer shall pay for the repair and replacement of uniforms. All employees in the bargaining unit, who are required to normally work in plain clothes, shall receive a uniform allowance for maintenance and purchase of two-hundredfifty dollars ($250) each year. Effective July 1, 2004, employees who are normally required to work in plain clothes, shall receive a uniform allowance for maintenance and purchase of two-hundred-sixty dollars ($260.00) each year. This uniform allowance shall be paid in the pay check for the pay period including July first of each year.

29.02 Equipment

The Departments/Agencies covered by this Agreement will provide appropriate equipment, accessories and supplies for maintaining equipment issued to members of the bargaining unit, as deemed necessary by the Employer.

29.03 Vehicles

1. The Departments/Agencies agree to maintain, in a safe and serviceable condition, vehicles that meet the operational needs of the Department's enforcement operations and activities. Plugged tires will only be used as spare tires on enforcement vehicles or enforcement vehicles utilized primarily at the state fair grounds.

2. Department of Natural Resources

a. DNR shall continue to replace enforcement vehicles with police package sedans or with four wheel drive vehicles in accordance with current practices. As funds are available, additional enforcement vehicles may be added to the current program. Officer safety and comfort and operational suitability shall be considered during the selection of enforcement vehicles. The priority use of these vehicles will be considered enforcement when conflicting demands exist.

b. All Department of Natural Resources enforcement divisions shall maintain current vehicle standards and reasonable efforts will be made to rotate enforcement vehicles among parks to equalize wear.

c. Marked patrol vehicles will only be driven by state employees. The priority use of these vehicles will be considered enforcement when conflicting demands exist.

3. Marked police vehicles used by Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Public Safety, and Ohio Veteran's Home Police Officers will be equipped with a light and siren, first-aid equipment, road flares and light bars.

4. Department of Public Safety Enforcement Agents Vehicles driven by Enforcement Agents will be maintained according to current policies and procedures.

5. The Department of Mental Health, and the Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities will provide a protective vest to each officer who requests such equipment.  Such equipment shall be worn by the officer in accordance with the written procedures and policies of the respective agencies.

6. The Department of Natural Resources will provide a protective vest to each officer who requests such equipment. Such equipment shall be worn by the officer in accordance with the written procedures and policies of the agency.

29.04 Equipment

1. Employees will not be required to repair state issued shoes.

2. Appropriate gloves and resuscitator masks will be available in all enforcement vehicles.

3. All watercraft shall be inspected at least once per year by the Division of Watercraft.

4. Departments of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Ohio Veteran's Home will provide first aid supplies and infection control equipment in the police office and each patrol vehicle, and access to protective equipment located on each ward/unit, appropriate to the nature of the officer's duties and in accordance with the facility's written infection control program.

5. Nightsticks shall and other equipment may be provided and shall be used in accordance with the written policies in the Departments of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

29.05 Badge

All employees shall be given their current badge upon retirement and credentials identifying them as retired from the State of Ohio. At the Employer’s expense, agencies may modify the badge to indicate that it is no longer in active service. Upon retirement, on a one-time basis, employees shall be sold their service weapon at the initial purchase price, less 20% depreciation each year until the remaining price is $1; unless the retirement is for reasons of psychological disability, whereupon the employee shall receive the dollar value of the service weapon, as identified in the table above.

29.06 Water
The Employer will provide two (2) bottles of water to employees for extended trainings and non-standard work assignments.

29.07 Off-Duty Carry
Unit 2 members employed by the Department of Public Safety are authorized to carry a division-issued or division-approved firearm while in an off-duty status. The issue of off-duty carry for Unit 2 members employed by the Department of Natural Resources will be remanded to Labor/Management committees.