Columbus cops get a fashion makeover

Officers and sergeants from the Columbus Division of Police have decided to be "fashion-forward" with their uniforms this year. 

Comfort takes over formality this season. Instead of wearing white shirts and eight-point hats which have been going on for decades, the officers will be wearing a navy-blue, polyester blend shirt with optional matching blue baseball caps. The navy blue pants will remain the same. The department will continue to wear the white uniform shirts on formal occasions such as promotions, ceremonies, and funerals. The command staff will continue to wear them. The new uniform was designed keeping in mind the officers' convenience, especially while being on the streets. 

Talking about the new uniform Sgt. Joseph Albert said the new uniforms will have an embroidered badge and the officer's name and badge number etched on the shirts making it more visible to citizens. It will contain space for the officer's body cams. External vests will be available with a suspender-like wearable option allowing equal weight distribution. This feature will reduce hip and lower-back stress. Officers mounted on motorbikes and bicycles will have reflective straps on their sleeves for safety. The new shirts are said to be easier to clean and hide dirt.  

Source: The Columbus Dispatch