((a)) The Secretary may pay an allowance under this section for the purchase of uniforms to any Department police officer who is required to wear a prescribed uniform in the performance of official duties.

((b))

((1)) The amount of the allowance that the Secretary may pay under this section is the lesser of—

((A)) the amount currently allowed as prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management; or

((B)) estimated costs or actual costs as determined by periodic surveys conducted by the Department.

((2)) During any fiscal year no officer shall receive more for the purchase of a uniform described in subsection (a) than the amount established under this subsection.

((c)) The allowance established under subsection (b) shall be paid at the beginning of a Department police officer’s employment for those appointed on or after . In the case of any other Department police officer, an allowance in the amount established under subsection (b) shall be paid upon the request of the officer.

((d)) A police officer who resigns as a police officer less than one year after receiving an allowance in an amount established under this section shall repay to the Department a pro rata share of the amount paid, based on the number of months the officer was actually employed as such an officer during the twelve-month period following the date on which such officer began such employment or the date on which the officer submitted a request for such an allowance, as the case may be.

((e)) An allowance may not be paid to a Department police officer under this section and under for the same fiscal year.