New Uniforms For Cops

[Scrounger]

In an effort to reduce their threatening image and get along better with the public, some departments are trying out new uniforms:

http://www.zippyvideos.com/936378382995725/bbccopsundies/

Now as long as we don't say that looks like so and so, this shouldn't be offensive to anyone.

[wills]

Looks like Dpty. Al retired just in time.

[Scrounger]

Looks like Dpty. Al retired just in time.

CarpetMan put a red light on his bicycle and wears that uniform when he stops the San Angelo hookers:

[9.3X62AL]

No kidding, Wills!

There are some patrol beats around Palm Springs, SFO, and Sea-Tac where such garb might be really appreciated. Castro District Class "A" Uniform, eh?

[Old Ironsights]

In an effort to reduce their threatening image and get along better with the public, some departments are trying out new uniforms:

http://www.zippyvideos.com/936378382995725/bbccopsundies/

Now as long as we don't say that looks like so and so, this shouldn't be offensive to anyone.

Actually, I wish PDs, SWATs, SERTs, etc would come up with some form of readily identifiable uniform that can't/won't be copied by home invaders.

I hate the idea of shooting at a Cop, but since there is no reason for any agency to be performing a "Dynamic Entry"on my place, people busting through the door get to eat lead.

Unfortunately, if they are cops we both die. And that sucks royally.

http://images.libertyoutlet.com/samples/s-whoisthis.jpg

:(

[KCSO]

I am going to offer a personal opinion here...

The WORST thing ever done to police uniforms was to adopt the black swat style uniform. There simply is no reason a cop needs to look like a ninja when serving a warrant.

The other downside to these black suits is that every donut crumb will show!

[Scrounger]

I am going to offer a personal opinion here...

The WORST thing ever done to police uniforms was to adopt the black swat style uniform. There simply is no reason a cop needs to look like a ninja when serving a warrant.

The other downside to these black suits is that every donut crumb will show!

I've always thought the black uniforms have too much Nazi overtones to them and police is this country should stay as far away from that as they can. I also think they should avoid any similarities to military protocol in dress, manner, or speech. Just my opinion.

[9.3X62AL]

Full agreement with both KCSO and Scrounger. I did an 8-year tour as a SWAT cop, and often pondered the same issue during that time. Where I thought things would get REALLY BAD was when the Clintonistas and Left Coast Loons got together on the "Assault Weapon Bans", both State and Federal. If EVER there was an oppurtunity to combine bad faith, SWAT Madness, and otherwise innocent citizens in the scenario described by Ironsides, it was then. When a government attempts to create crooks out of innocent citizens with ballistic fashion statements as was clearly afoot during the early 1990's, things can get WAY UGLY in a quick hurry.

For background, see the sidebar article to Neal Knox's column I wrote in "Guns & Ammo" June 1992, pp. 24. Scary as h--l.

[wills]

There simply is no reason a cop needs to look like a ninja when serving a warrant.



Why is it cops refer to “serving” a warrant?

Usually (at least as I always heard the term used) “serving” meant a sheriff or constable taking a piece of paper such as a citation, subpoena, notice, etc., and giving it to a person or leaving it in his presence, whereas if the sheriff or constable was directed to do something such at take possession of property it usually was referred to as “executing”.

If you are taking an individual into custody, why isn’t it called executing the warrant?

[waksupi]

Something thathas been bothering me, and I hear more of all the time, is local, and national media, referring to LEO's, as "cops". Are they lazy, or disrespectful? Either way, it's a poor way to report the news.

[wills]

And why are LEO's using it?

[Old Ironsights]

There is a really informative (and scary) Cato White Paper on the whole Militarization of the Police phenomenon called:

"Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Police Raids in America"

http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6476

Full text PDF free to download.

Good read.

[9.3X62AL]

I've never thought of the term "cop" as being derisive. It is supposedly an acronym from Britain, describing the "Bobbies" (derived from Sir Robert Peel and the London Metropolitan Police he developed c. 1829) as "Constables On Patrol". If Sir Robert's origins and resulting nomenclature is a litmus test, it's all right with me. He is TRULY the archetype and architect of modern professional policing, and Teddy Roosevelt installed a lot of Sir Robert's upgrades into NYCPD in the 1890's to professionalize the ranks in The Big Apple during his time as Police Commissioner prior to San Juan Hill.

[walltube]

Anybody out there remember Elian Gonzales?

You know, the six year old Cuban refugee child that arrived on our shores clinging to a sinking raft with his mother's corpse atop. They were seeking asylum here in America from Castro's Cuba. Janet Reno dispatched her best rip-stop black nylon clad goon squad to put a stop to all that foolishness she did.


In that front page photo I shall never forget the horror in that child's face as he was torn from his uncle's arms with a black MP5 shoved in their faces. The Fed guy's face was all decked out in the best black gear only a dedicated paint baller can dream of having. What a warrant serving event that was.

Also impressed in my memory was the Fed-Goon's trigger finger in the trigger guard, ON the trigger. Ahh, a professional he was. Black shooting gloves and all.

Black uniforms as an intimidation factor? HAH! Armed socio-paths pumped up on looted pharmaceuticals found the ninja zoot suits to be fun targets down here late August, early September '05. And the gang banger druggies in New Orleenz are still scoffing at them.

Now for the disclaimer: there several members of my family that are cops. They refer to their jobs simply as being "cops" or "police", my daughter refers to herself as a "police woman". She (and others officers) have great disdain for the black para-military costume. Folks just do not like their home town peace officers decked out like that. Bad vibes.

Wishing Ya'll the best from soggy, partially deforested St. Tammany Parish, La. 8>)

H.E. Leaming aka Walltube

[KCSO]

Here when a warrant is issued it must be served by leaving a copy of the warrant and an inventory of items siezed with the tennant in possession of the property. The warrant is then returned to the court the same as any other civil paper. Hence the term served. I on occasion have to work with the State Swat team and in every instance I here unfavorable comments on their uniforms. There was a reason that the old Police and Sheriff's did not wear a military uniform. For the same reason I do not like black uniforms that some of the SO's are adopting.

Just call me Andy Taylor

[Old Ironsights]

I've said this on other Forums to other LEOs - If your Union isn't doing somthing to shift this trend it's doing You and the Public a disservice.

Yes, Politics may have a lot to do with the Ninja Suits, but they are more of a Risk than benefit. Bad Guys shoot at cops because they are Bad Guys. Now, Good Guys shoot at Cops because we can't tell them from the bad guys. That doubles the Risk to cops.

You can wear Armor under Police Blue or Sheriff Brown - uniforms the Goblins aren't likely to successfully imitate/buy fromthe Army Surplus Store.

[jb12k]

I've said this on other Forums to other LEOs - If your Union isn't doing somthing to shift this trend it's doing You and the Public a disservice.

Yes, Politics may have a lot to do with the Ninja Suits, but they are more of a Risk than benefit. Bad Guys shoot at cops because they are Bad Guys. Now, Good Guys shoot at Cops because we can't tell them from the bad guys. That doubles the Risk to cops.

You can wear Armor under Police Blue or Sheriff Brown - uniforms the Goblins aren't likely to successfully imitate/buy fromthe Army Surplus Store.

Just one additional thought-To me, a MASK equals a TARGET ! I can't imagine any LEO in his right mind would even consider wearing one, unless he had evil on his mind and did not want to be identified with it's results !

[Bret4207]

I wear black, but then I roll around in the grease and dirt under trucks all day. No masks, just safety glasses, no "tactical", "extreme" or any other catch phrase type names on my gear. Big Bill and Dickies. Scary huh?

The proliferation of military type gear is proof the cops are jsut as easily sold by advertising as anyone else. Just regular guys buying into an advertising image.

[SharpsShooter]

I've never thought of the term "cop" as being derisive. It is supposedly an acronym from Britain, describing the "Bobbies" (derived from Sir Robert Peel and the London Metropolitan Police he developed c. 1829) as "Constables On Patrol". If Sir Robert's origins and resulting nomenclature is a litmus test, it's all right with me. He is TRULY the archetype and architect of modern professional policing, and Teddy Roosevelt installed a lot of Sir Robert's upgrades into NYCPD in the 1890's to professionalize the ranks in The Big Apple during his time as Police Commissioner prior to San Juan Hill.


You oughta be a college Perfessor Al :mrgreen: . Reading your post took me back to my Criminal Justice Admin coursework in college many years ago. Most of my instructors were either active LEO's, retired LEO's, or prosecutors. It was the most fun 3 years I've had in quite a spell.

SS

[redneckdan]

I read that Cato Institute paper. Honestly it blew my mind how SWAT teams are being used and the people that are getting hurt.

[ktw]

Just regular guys buying into an advertising image.
Just regular guys, except for the armed and projecting authority aspects of the job.

As noted earlier, it would be a good idea for them to give more thought to the image they are projecting when purchasing equipment.

-ktw

[Baldy]

That sure was a laugh or two Scrounger. Still laughing.