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The image of the modern police officer has evolved over the years into a more modern and tactical appearance.\u00a0 The days of the thick wool or cotton long sleeve shirts, pants, and ties, garrison style hats, a leather duty belt with only a firearm and one set of handcuffs are a thing of the past.\u00a0 The look that many citizens in the United States have come accustom to over the years has been replaced with a more militaristic and practical approach to policing.\u00a0 This new image might be more realistic to the daily duties of law enforcement and appealing to the officer wearing the uniform, but how is it perceived by the public?\u00a0 Richard Johnson (2001) states police uniforms have a profound psychological impact on the public, and slight alterations to what the public is accustom to, may change the public\u2019s perception of the police (Johnson, R., 2001, P27).\u00a0 A uniform change that is more comfortable, compatible, and reduces stress upon the officers who must don them, could inadvertently be displacing that stress onto the citizens they serve.\u00a0 Will society be able to adapt to this style of police uniform or will it create a greater divide among law enforcement and the community?\u00a0 The physical and mental health benefits of this modernized uniform could be a step in the right direction, taking care of those who care for us.<\/p>\n
The traditional wool class A style uniforms that was previously predominately worn by law enforcement has become impractical for modernized policing.\u00a0 Today\u2019s police are expected and or required to carry a greater number of tools on their person in preparation for every possible outcome.\u00a0 A firearm, extra magazines, hand cuffs, a flashlight, pepper spray, taser, baton, radio, body cameras, and tourniquets are a part of today\u2019s standard policing attire.\u00a0 \u201cSome\u00a0police\u00a0leaders dislike the tactical appearance of the loadbearing vests while others applaud their efficiency and potential for increasing comfort while decreasing\u00a0injuries\u00a0due to\u00a0back\u00a0strain\u201d (Stockton, 2016, P.24).\u00a0 The demand for added equipment has caused greater amounts of weight to be placed on officer\u2019s duty belts resulting in injuries.\u00a0 External carrier uniform vests take that added weight off of the officer\u2019s duty belt and distributes it on the vest.\u00a0 This weight reduction from the duty belt has been a relief for officer\u2019s who suffer from back related injury or pain.\u00a0 Having worn both styles of uniforms myself, I can attest to the added comfort and versatility that these external carriers provide.\u00a0 The change to the external carrier style uniform vests has provided an improvement in the health and wellbeing of officers particularly when stuck in the uniform for long hours.\u00a0 Police officers and some administrators are in favor of the modernization of the police uniform, but does public perception take precedent to the officer wellbeing?<\/p>\n
If the modern uniform appears too militaristic in the eyes of the public, what consequences will result?\u00a0 Police agency around the country have focused great efforts in developing positive relationship building strategies within their communities.\u00a0 How does a police agency portray the added benefits both physical and mental these uniforms provide for their officer\u2019s?\u00a0 How do police agencies help mitigate the added stress and fears of militarization of the police that these new styles of uniform create?\u00a0 With the current tensions building between police and citizens across the country, could the implementation of these new militaristic style uniforms have contributed to the unraveling relationships between the police and the communities they serve?<\/p>\n
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Michael Carrasquillo<\/p>\n
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