How to wear Class E per Procedure 1502-5 (revised December 2021).
Eligibility — peace officers only
Class E only applies to peace officers appointed under Penal Code Section 830.2. If you're not in that classification with that authorization, the Class E uniform is not for you. Use Class C / D / B as appropriate to your assignment.
Definition (from Procedure 1502-5): The Class E Law Enforcement Uniform may be worn when peace officers are assigned to Primary Law Enforcement Duties and where the dress, administrative, work, or tactical uniform is not appropriate or practical.
Primary Law Enforcement Duties (HB 9452): Peace officers assigned as having fire-prevention coverage for a Unit/Program, and/or assignments such as patrol requiring the officer to be immediately prepared to affect an arrest or serve a warrant.
Authorization gates
- Unit Chief or Program Chief — authorizes the wearing of the Polo Shirt.
- Supervisors, Managers, and Company Officers — discretion to direct when the Uniform T-Shirt may be worn in lieu of the uniform shirt; discretion to determine PT-gear appropriateness; ensure employees are wearing appropriate PPE for firefighting operations.
What's specifically prohibited on Class E
- The administrative white shirt shall not be worn with the Class E Uniform.
- The necktie shall not be worn with the Class E Uniform.
(Compare: necktie required on Class A; optional on B and C; not paired with D; prohibited on E.)
Body armor / duty gear
- The body armor and duty gear will be worn with the Class E Law Enforcement Uniform.
This is not optional for peace officer duties. The Sam Browne style belt + accessories per Exhibit E9452 (Weapons and Equipment Standards) is the duty-gear platform.
Uniform T-Shirt rules — vest-carrier specific
Class E adds a vest-carrier-specific rule on top of the standard T-Shirt rules:
- The Uniform T-Shirt may be worn without the uniform shirt while wearing the Tactical Vest or External Vest Carrier AND on law enforcement assignments.
- The Uniform T-shirt will generally not be worn in lieu of the Uniform Shirt while interacting with the public.
- Maintenance: employees responsible for keeping Navy Blue / Uniform T-Shirts presentable.
Two specific shirt SKUs (the 5.11 Rapid PDU shirts) are approved for EVC use only — see the Class E Purchasing Guide.
Raincoats, gloves, etc.
- Color-coordinated and shall NOT have any CAL FIRE insignia on them. (This is unique to Class E — the principle is that the LE uniform with body armor and duty gear should not be conflated with field firefighting branding.)
Pin rule
Uniform insignia pins shall be worn only one at a time on Class E.
Wide-brim Campaign Hat — LE-specific
The Wide Brim "Campaign" Hat (Stratton) is permitted on Class E — and the rank insignia badge may be worn on the front of the wide brim hat (LE-only allowance).
Cord-and-acorn adornment of the correct rank color may be worn on the Campaign Cover by a POST Certified Recruit Training Officer (RTO) while engaged in RTO duties during a Regular Basic Course.
Cold weather / layering
- The fleece jacket: outerwear or layering garment, including under approved PPE; not approved as standalone PPE.
- A sweatshirt may be worn in lieu of the uniform shirt while performing work activities during cold weather.
Footwear
For peace officers assigned to immediate response, engines, crews, overhead, and battalion coverage, footwear shall meet the criteria outlined in 1502-3, 1502-4, and 1727 for detailed footwear specifications.
The Class E Purchasing Guide also lists Class E-specific footwear: black leather (or leather/nylon mix), duty style, polishable toe, slip-resistant outsole, 6″ or 8″ height. Class C/D footwear is permitted with Class E.
Insignia — what's required vs optional on Class E
| Item | Class E status |
|---|---|
| Uniform patches (both sleeves) | Required |
| Service Stars | Optional |
| Collar Brass | Optional with the LE External and Tactical Vest Carrier; Required with the LE Internal Vest Carrier and/or while wearing soft body armor under the Uniform Shirt |
| Department-issued badge | Required (and required on the Law Enforcement External Vest Carrier per Exhibit 9452) |
| Department-issued nameplate | Required, with caveat: NOT worn with the LE Exterior and Tactical Vest Carriers (per Exhibit 9452) |
| Rank Insignia Badge | Optional — and may be worn on the Stratton Campaign hat (LE-only allowance) |
| Flag Pin · EMS · Union · Honor Guard · Local Cooperative · Aviator Wings · FTO · Hazmat · IMT · Unit/Program | Optional (one pin at a time) |
Patch placement
- Both sleeves
- Centered ½″ below the shoulder seam on uniform shirts
- Centered 1″ below the shoulder seam on coats/jackets
Source
Procedure 1502-5 — Class E "Law Enforcement" Uniform and Insignia Display Procedures, revised December 2021. Companion: Class E Law Enforcement Response Uniform Purchasing Guide (revised October 2025). Belt and duty gear: Exhibit E9452 — Weapons and Equipment Standards. Insignia: Uniform Insignia Display Exhibit (revised July 2023). Footwear: 1700 Safety Handbook Section 1727.
