As in any type of uniform from those worn by medical professionals to first responders and police officers, there are always trends and changes that occur to the traditional uniform options.
In years gone by the key factors in police uniforms were to a crisp, polished and highly professional look. This style was the traditional button-down shirt and tie, matching trousers and hat style that is still in use in many areas. Throughout the early part of the 1990s, the trend went to a more casual law enforcement apparel selection for many departments and agencies that included polos shirts, khakis and no hat.
The benefits of this new type of uniform design were greater comfort for officers. This was true for both police and sheriff’s departments where officers were not restricted to wearing the harder, coarser fabrics of the traditional blue or brown uniforms.
Back to Blue or Brown
A new trend in law enforcement apparel is to incorporate the freedom of movement, the moisture wicking and stain resistant fabrics of the more casual uniforms and designs with the more formal looking style.
This is actually a great option for officers as well as departments as it sets a more professional tone while making a comfortable and easy to wear uniform option. Functionality that was lacking in traditional types of uniforms can be added in while the constraining and restrictive designs have been tossed out.
The result is a more officer-friendly type of uniform. It has the pockets in the shirt, pants and vests that the officer requires. There are other accessories such as mag holders, belts, cuff cases, holsters and even smartphone cases that coordinate with the uniform as well as fit perfectly with police belts.
Military Look
Some agencies and departments may be moving from the more traditional law enforcement apparel to a more military look. This if often seen in specialized teams, but it does provide a distinctive look from the officer or deputy on the street. This is often reserved for SWAT or crisis response teams to delineate between one unit and another.
These options in police apparel tend to include the military style of tactical pants and shirts. These garments include the additional pockets, pouches and secure areas to maintain all equipment and to still provide a professional look and appearance. These shirts and pants tend to be water resistant and stain resistant, making them a top choice for many departments.
