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73A – Testifying in Court <br /> <br /> <br />Policy & Procedure Page 2 of 7 <br /> <br />PROCEDURE <br /> <br />A. Definitions <br /> <br />1. Civilian Attire: Non-uniform clothing. <br />2. Business Attire: Dress clothes such as business suit, suit coat, dress <br />pants, shirt and tie for men, or a business dress or pants suit for women. <br />3. Uniform of the Day: Uniform as directed by this policy or the Chief of Police <br />or designee. <br />B. Courtroom Attire <br /> <br />1. To insure that an officer's testimony will be given the full weight and credit to <br />which it is entitled, every police officer testifying in any court proceeding shall <br />be well groomed and properly attired. <br /> <br />a. Business attire is always appropriate for court appearances and <br />mandatory for Grand Jury, and Superior Court. <br />b. The uniform of the day (Class B) is also appropriate for District Court <br />or Clerk Magistrate appearances. Business attire is recommended <br />for trials. <br /> <br />2. Uniforms. Shall be neat and clean with all leather and brass properly <br />polished. As weather permits, officers may wear the long sleeve shirt with tie <br />or the short sleeve shirt. <br />3. Firearms. Officers may carry any firearm, which has been issued or <br />authorized for duty use by the Chief of Police. Officers may wear a firearm <br />in a pancake or molded polymer holster rather than the complete duty belt. <br />4. Buttons, Pins, Tie clasps, etc. In order to avoid prejudicing a judge or jury, <br />officers should not wear any button, pin, tie clasp or other item, which may <br />associate the officer with any organization or affiliation other than the <br />Lexington Police Department. <br /> <br />C. Pre-trial Responsibilities <br /> <br />1. Court Schedules: Whenever an officer is expected to testify at any court <br />proceeding, the following information shall be posted on the Court Bulletin <br />Board: officer's name, court location, date, defendant's name, and charges <br />pending. Officers shall be expected to regularly review the Court Board for <br />scheduled court dates. <br /> <br />a. If an officer discovers a scheduling conflict or other error, he/she <br />should provide written notification to the Police Prosecutor as soon <br />as possible. <br />b. If an officer is scheduled to work a regular tour of duty on his/her court <br />date, he/she will notify the commanding officer as soon as possible so <br />that appropriate staffing levels can be maintained.