When did we lose the spit and polish? As a rookie, I was taught a tight police uniform garnered respect. Brass and nameplate properly placed, gig line met, “cables” cut, shined leather duty belt and boots. “Uniform” means we all look correct. Sadly, things have changed over the decades.
When I retired, the chief said he had drawn a line in the sand. Concessions had been made for some visible non-offensive tattoos, but all the other trendy style changes the officers desired were off the table. No sleeve tattoos, outer vests, beards, or ball caps for street officers. So I had my retirement party and parted ways. And then things went off the rails.
At my former department, beards, ball caps, the aforementioned full arm tattoos, and outer vests are now the norm. And concealed body armor has been replaced by MOLLE-compatible carriers festooned with all manner of garish, nonsequiter, unnecessary equipment—decorative flair! What started out as dark navy and basketweave has become a cornucopia of colored trinkets. I’m embarrassed.
My spouse says LEOs are viewed differently in today’s society. I’m not buying it. I think they look thuggish. And if that is what gets someone’s attention, I’m not a fan. In my time, a slovenly looking officer got no respect by anyone, certainly to include that guy who wanted to take the cop’s head off.
The job was not to fit in or make people comfortable, but to enforce the law dispassionately and objectively. “Just the facts, ma’am.” We wanted the citizens to react to our professionalism, to feel we represented the government without prejudice.
In the mid-1980s, my department brought in a progressive chief who altered the image of the rank and file. Out with the white shirts, tan pants with the outseam stripe, cowboy boots, and Stetson hats. He envisioned the officers looking squared away like the LAPD. In were midnight navy uniforms, shield-style badges, and regular uniform hats. All very Adam-12.
Recently, my disappointment was apparent one morning when I saw some of our officers at a breakfast restaurant looking like an unkempt gaggle in their now-acceptable agency garb. They would have looked so much better in traditional street uniforms with shined brass and gleaming boots than their supposed high speed “tactical” daily wear.
At my second and last agency, the chief allowed outer vests, but without the MOLLE attachments. He wanted a uniform shirt appearance. It was close, but after testing several vests, they still didn’t have the right smooth look.
Yeah, I know. I’m living in the past. I still respect the work the kids are doing and I worry for their safety. I just wish they had that classic presence that I think commands the esteem a professional police officer should receive. It’s a difficult line of work. Dress to impress.
Randall
