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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Public Hearing: An Ordinance Concerning Standards for Police Uniforms; Adding Section 2.665 to the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing for an Effective Date Meeting Date: May 23, 2005 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Eugene Police Department Staff Contact: Jeannine Parisi www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5852 ISSUE STATEMENT This is a public hearing to discuss a proposed ordinance to the Eugene Code to set standards for police uniforms. This would add Section 2.665 to the Eugene Code, 1971 and provide an effective date for the ordinance. BACKGROUND The purpose of the police uniform is to ensure that the officer is easily identifiable to the public and other law enforcement personnel. Police uniforms standardize officers' appearance to convey a sense of authority, professionalism and trust to the public. Uniform color, style, badges and other insignia vary among agencies to reflect the culture of the organization and the community it serves and to establish an identity unique to that organization. Within any community, multiple agencies may exist whose uniformed personnel have varying levels of enforcement and/or legal authority. These can include State, County and local law enforcement agencies, college campus security, and private security services. The Eugene Police Commission became interested in the issue of police uniform standards after it heard from a commission member about incidents that occurred during his ride-a-longs with police and from public testimony attesting to confusion between the uniforms of the police department (EPD) and the Department of Public Safety at the University of Oregon. When other agencies wear uniforms that closely resemble those worn by sworn police officers, civilians may misperceive the agency with whom they are interacting and may have problems with follow-up questions or concerns after the interaction if they cannot easily determine the agency with which they have been in contact. In situations where multiple police/security agencies are involved, the safety of non-sworn uniformed personnel is also a concern. Law enforcement personnel may not be able to distinguish their fellow officers from other uniformed personnel, particularly at night. If these non-sworn employees, who are not authorized to carry a firearm, are mistaken for a law enforcement officer by a hostile suspect, they could be at serious risk of injury or death if unable to defend themselves. In April 2004, a Police Commission task group was convened to explore options to ensure that Eugene Police officers are easily distinguishable from other public safety agencies in Eugene, campus security and private security employees. An Internet search on the topic indicated that other cities have enacted ordinances and/or state legislation to address this issue. There has been no prior City Council action on L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050523\S0505233.doc