NAUMD’s 2003 Best Dressed Police Department Competition

Each year, the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) sponsors the Best Dressed Police Department Competition that honors and publicly acknowledges police departments across America.

The NAUMDs 2003 Best Dressed Police Department Competition raised the bar in professional uniform appearance in law enforcement. This years winners impressed our judges with their appearance, department diversity and attention to detail. The judges also paid close attention to how the uniform fit the job function of the officer wearing it. Because many officers have specific assignments and patrol details, there are many factors to consider when deciding to purchase uniforms for a department.

The 2003 Best Dressed Police Department winners are as follows…

The judges for the 2003 NAUMD Best Dressed Police Department were: Patrick DeMare, retired manager, New York Custom and Uniform Tailors Division of Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union Chief Michael T. Filippello, commander of the Parsippany Police Department, a civil service organization, which consists of over 100 sworn police officers. Phil Von Tom, Law and Order Magazine.

For the second year in a row, the U.S. Mint Police comes away a winner. Established in 1792, the U.S. Mint Police is one of the Americas oldest federal law enforcement agencies. This highly regarded police force provides protection advice and assistance to other government agencies and foreign governments. The U.S. Mint Police believe portraying a professional image demonstrates pride in their work and the people they serve. According to Chief William F. Daddio, U.S. Mint Police wearing the uniform contributes to the importance of pride, morale and feeling good about the job.

Appearance represents order, and the uniform projects that. The uniform speaks about what you are, says Daddio. He believes it is important to present the best image to those you protect and serve. During his 20-year tenure, the U.S. Mint Police developed into a nationally recognized law enforcement agency striving to set the standard for federal uniformed police agencies. Having high standards of dress and personal appearance also communicates professionalism and good judgment.

The U.S. Mint Police established a police force at its Washington, D.C., headquarters in 1999 with the first Honor Guard. The U.S. Mint Police wear an LAPD-style uniform along with the colors of blue and gold. Only the nametag and badge are authorized for wear on the uniform, while sergeants wear blue stripes below the shoulder patch and lieutenants and above wear metal rank insignia on their collars. Instructors wear navy blue and red (weapons) or white polo shirt with U.S. Mint Police insignia. Uniforms must present a neat and professional appearance. Mint police officers across the nation are leading the way into the 21st Century in federal uniformed law enforcement.

www.usmint.gov

The mission of the Michigan DNR includes protection of all natural resources and the environment, as well as the health and safety of the public. Early Michigan citizens recognized the rich and vast natural treasures surrounding them and the need for their conservation and protection. The result was the nations first salaried Game Warden, William Alden Smith, who was appointed in 1887.

The Law Enforcement Division of the Michigan DNR acts at several levels to encourage conservation officers to maintain professional appearance in uniform. Because of the nature of the duties of conservation officers, it is challenging to outfit them for all the elements they encounter. Conservation officers face unique situations that require specialized uniforms and equipment. Such items as bright orange caps for hunting seasons, full immersion marine work suits and floatation coats provide for officers safety and survival.

Michigan conservation officers (CO) are issued high-quality wool-Dacron blend dry-clean trousers that may be worn bloused above their boots. This bloused appearance is a traditional look for Michigan COs dating back to the 1920s and helps keep the uniform trousers out of the mud and water. The standard uniform color is olive drab green for the trousers, jacket, ties, outerwear and rainwear. All uniform shirts and trousers are dry clean only with ironed creases. The material blend of wool/Dacron resists stains, holds creases well, is comfortable in all but the hottest of weather and dries quickly. All of these characteristics encourage officers to maintain professional appearance under the worst of weather and terrain conditions. Winter wear for the Michigan Conservation Office includes a snowmobile suit in black and marine work suit is orange. The officers typically wear a Pershing dress hat, but there are various styles of caps paired with the different uniforms and environments. The Michigan CO today upholds a legacy of integrity and pride in serving Michigans outdoor enthusiasts.

The divisions standing uniform committee meets at least once a year to review uniform issues, proposed modifications to the uniform and other policy matters relating to the wearing of the uniform. The divisions management team provides the field conservation officers with current information on the importance of proper wearing of the uniform and the importance of the psychological impact of the law enforcement uniform.

www.michigan.gov/dnr

2003 marks the 70th anniversary of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. This highly regarded state agency boasts a roster of 1,517 uniformed personnel in several divisions. They have developed separate operational policies (internal directives) on Standard Uniform Issue, Seasonal Dates and Guidelines for Wear. These guidelines are issued to each officer and have policies that specifically deal with uniform appearance and the departments standards. The guidelines start with where to place service insignia and awards ribbons in relation to the badge. The importance of including cleaning instructions, shoe repair and overall wearing guidelines provide the officers with recognition of the importance of the uniform in the duties that they will perform as state officers.

Ohio State Highway Patrol has a tailor shop at its headquarters facility that employs a full-time tailor as well as three seamstresses. A computerized records system maintains measurements for all uniformed personnel. Each officer is re-measured every two years to insure proper fit. Also maintained is a comprehensive stock of all uniforms to insure immediate replacement of any and all damaged equipment.
The officers wear dark gray trousers with a black stripe and a black belt. The shirts are gray, worn with a black tie. Outerwear and jackets are black. The campaign hat is gray to match the shirt. Commissioned officers (lieutenant and above) wear the same uniform, but the insignias (buttons, badges, name bar, whistle chain, etc.) are gold instead of silver. Other garments include rainwear and specialized jumpsuits for Special Response Team and Aviation Patrols.

Superintendent Col. Paul D. McClellan says: Our appearance sets the tone for our professionalism. Our agency has always been proud of our image, and we feel that the uniform projects this image everyday as our officers perform their duties. Wherever we go and whatever we do, our officers proudly wear the uniform, continually displaying the pride they have in the job theyre doing serving the people of Ohio.

In 1993, the Ohio State Highway Patrol produced a lengthy history book as a part of its 60th anniversary celebration. The book is now out of print and no longer available. It has been converted into several Web documents, available for viewing on the department website.

The history of Lexington and Fayette counties can be traced to the Revolutionary War. In 1775, a group of pioneers in the Kentucky District of Virginia named their campsite Lexington for the opening battle of the Revolutionary War. And when the Virginia Legislature divided the Kentucky District into three counties, one was named Fayette after Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette. The Lexington area was an early cultural and industrial center. Today it is the second-largest city in Kentucky.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Division of Police entered the competition with an impressive presentation of their uniform program. According to Chief Anthany Beatty, Tradition has instilled high expectations for officer appearance. Officers realize that appearance relates to public perception, respect and self esteem. The community has high expectations of the appearance of officers and the professional image our agency projects.

www.lexingtonpolice.lfucg.com

Constables and part-time police officers handled the law enforcement needs of Voorhees Township from its founding in 1899 until 1961. Because there were no police radios, the porch light system was devised to notify the on-duty officers that a call was pending. This practice ended in 1960 when the Township purchased its first marked patrol car, which included a radio.

According to Lt. Louis Bordi, the goals for the Voorhees Township Police Department concerning their uniforms are simple: We want to reflect the most positive and professional image possible while maintaining officer morale and our tradition. We believe that you only have one chance to make a first impression. The department encourages well dressed police offices by communicating their expectations and formulating a roll call that includes a detailed uniform inspection prior to the officers reporting to the street.

The uniform consists of navy trousers with a 1-inch gold felt trouser stripe and a black leather basket weave belt. The shirts are made to measure French blue with a navy blue tie. The jackets are black Gortex. Their shoes are black leather Chukka, and the boots are black leather. There are two hat styles. Patrol officers wear the New Jersey round top with a New Jersey visor in French blue with a dark band and leather overhead. The campaign uniform hat issue is a navy felt with head and chinstrap worn with blousecoat. The official raincoat is black and orange. The commanders uniform is a black blousecoat, with a white shirt, black pants with a black 1-inch stripe, black hat and black leather shoes.

The Rhode Island state troopers have been wearing the same uniform styles since 1925. As such, there is a feeling of pride in maintaining the tradition of the uniform of troopers who have gone before them. The state troopers are a paramilitary organization, and therefore the uniform shall be worn following proper state protocol.

The black military-style dress coat is double breasted with a pleated back. The regulation coat for police officers is a military-style leather coat made of black steer with a woolen melton lining. The slacks (breeches) are made of Bedford cloth, Oxford, butterfly peg. The slacks also incorporate two side and hip pockets, two blackjack pockets below the hip pockets, and one watch pocket. Summer uniforms incorporate grey slacks and shirts.

The Rhode Island State Police Departments is one of a few that still conducts a Ceremonial Inspection every five years where the governor and superintendent inspect the uniforms including leather gear and weapons of all officers. Otherwise, patrol commanders and unit supervisors conduct weekly line inspections of officers.
http://www.risp.state.ri.us

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
City Under 200 Officers
Trenton Division of Police
OH

The Trenton Police Department had a dramatic change when Chief Rodney D. Hale took over the department two years ago. The uniforms changed so the department would have its own identity and distinguish it from other nearby departments in the surrounding area. As a constantly growing department, the Trenton Division of Police strives for professionalism in the department and community.

There are four winter and summer uniforms, three K-9 uniforms, and two dress blouse, emergency and ceremonial/Honor Guard uniforms. The uniform consists of navy slacks with no trouser stripes, navy jacket and professional duty cap. The outerwear worn is also navy and the shirts are navy and white. The ties, shoes and belts are black. Command officers wear the same uniforms with a solid white shirt.