The Department shall provide uniforms and equipment necessary for the performance of the duties of employees in accordance with the State budget. Uniforms and equipment shall be purchased by the Department in accordance with Division II of the State Finance and Procurement Article and remain the property of the State. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary may grant permission to off-duty police employees to use police vehicles during off-duty hours if, in the opinion of the Secretary, the vehicles will not be needed by on-duty police employees. Only the police employees to whom permission has been granted to use the police vehicles may operate the police vehicles.