Police Hats

[Cidp24]

How many of you have required hats?


http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pb...=2008806090319

June 9, 2008



JPD puts priority on hats
(Jackson, MS)
Officials explain headgear gives officers a more professional look

Nicklaus Lovelady
nicklaus.lovelady@jackson.gann ett.com The Jackson Police Department has spent $15,640 on uniform hats and is requiring officers to wear them while on duty.
JPD pulled the money from its general fund during a time when the city is short of money and the police chief is cracking down on overtime.
The city is currently trying to scrape up money to help cover overtime for JPD officers after exhausting nearly all of its $1.9 million overtime budget halfway through the fiscal year. The city was also forced to secure a $6 million line of credit to pay for cleanup of debris left by April storms.
Assistant Chief Lee Vance said the hat initiative was something Police Chief Malcolm McMillin wanted in order to add professionalism and to help improve the department's public perception.
Wearing hats once was mandatory for JPD officers, but the policy slowly faded away, Vance said.
"I remember they issued a hat to me when I joined the department in 1987. But over the years, I'm not sure when, we got away from wearing them and nobody made it mandatory," Vance said. "The only time you would wear it was to a funeral, but even at funerals there where people who didn't have their hats because they had discarded them."
The department purchased 470 hats and also spent $11,200 on 400 bright-colored safety vests. JPD pulled $24,871 from the forfeiture fund to purchase 340 raincoats. Officers began receiving the equipment in May.
While Jackson police union President Juan Cloy said he has heard both positive and negative things about the hats, he wishes the administration would address more important issues - such as replacing radios, increasing pay and improving benefits.
"We're trying to focus on other things, which we plan to talk to Chief McMillin about," said Cloy, who is a detective. "But we have to tackle one hill at a time."
The black polyester hat can get hot in the summer months, but patrol officer Michael Watts said it's all about getting used to wearing it.
"It's not that bad. The only time you have to wear it is when you're outside the patrol car," he said.
One of the concerns expressed by officers was keeping up with the hat in the event of a foot chase. If an officer loses the hat, would it be that person's responsibility to replace it? The hats cost about $32 for patrolmen and $62 for high-ranking staff.
Vance said an officer who misplaces the hat during a pursuit most likely won't be disciplined.
"When you have to do something that you're not used to doing, there's going to be some resistance. Eventually people will comply and move on," Vance said. "We want to enhance professionalism and the way the public views us."
JPD is not the only police department in the region that requires officers to wear the hats. Both the Memphis and Montgomery police departments said the hats give the officers a polished and professional look.
"An officer on foot patrol, especially in the Beale Street and downtown areas, will wear the hat so that tourists who are not familiar with the area can easily identify us," Memphis police spokesman Detective Monique Martin said.
Like JPD, the Montgomery Police Department had become relaxed in its hat policy until an administration change in 2005, Montgomery police spokesman Capt. Huey Thornton said. Now, officers are again required to wear them.
"If the officer gets a burglary call and it takes too much time to reach in the car to grab the hat, that is understandable. But during routine foot patrols and traffic stops, they have to wear them," Thornton said.
Jackson downtown patrol officer Colendula Green said she is proud to wear the hat because it gives JPD a more "positive and professional outlook."
"I think it brings more respect to officers and the department," she said.

[jmur5074]

We aren't required to wear them.


We are issued 8 point hats, and have the option of purchasing a dept. approved baseball cap (navy with gold "POLICE"). I typically wear the ballcap, but I've started wearing my 8 point lately because I think it looks bad ass.

[matt86]

That's crazy. By policy we are supposed to wear them but nobody does... Not even the cheif.

A lot of officers won't work off duty at the coliseum here because they require a hat to be worn.

[MacLean]

Moved to General Topics from General Site Information.

[TXCharlie]

I don't think I've ever seen a city policeman wearing a hat in this area, except at memorial services, etc.

The only LEO's I have seen wearing hats in this area are Sheriff's Deputies, the Texas Rangers, County Constables, and DPS Troopers.

All of those wear cowboy hats (or something very similar to cowboy hats).

[MacLean]

Hats are, and should be, optional here.

Forcing an officer to wear a hat presents a safety/tactics issue.

Fortunately, in WA, cities are beginning to realize that fighting in a dress uniform is stupid.

Police Officers are the last remaining armed force that fights in a Class A.

Foolishness.

[Xiphos]

Equipment like radios are critical to officer safety. That needs to be a priority over fluff fashion pieces.

Better pay and benefits will attract better officers and create pride and professionalism. Bad fashion being crammed down your throat won't.

Sounds like a spectacular waste of money by windbag pencil jockies with no clue.

[Jenna]

Is a ticket still valid if the officer was not wearing a hat while writing it?

[Just KC]

Is a ticket still valid if the officer was not wearing a hat while writing it?

[pac201]

+1

[TXCharlie]

Is a ticket still valid if the officer was not wearing a hat while writing it?

The secret to an invalid ticket is to get his pants off in the back seat, but so far I haven't gotten any "takers"

[CTR man]

Is a ticket still valid if the officer was not wearing a hat while writing it?

+1

[Pudge]

The secret to an invalid ticket is to get his pants off in the back seat, but so far I haven't gotten any "takers"

Who-da thunk it Chuck....

[MacLean]

Who-da thunk it Chuck....

Uh Chuck, how is that psych going?

[Pudge]

Uh Chuck, how is that psych going?

Gotta be crazy with that kind of remark. He must have been referring to "invalid citizen's patrol parking or cell phone tickets".

[depusm12]

Required to wear a baseball cap right now. Once we get the hat badges we will be required to wear smokie the bear hats with our class A uniforms (blue felt in the winter and blue straw in the summer).

[mavriktu]

Have always felt the 8 point bus driver type were nothing but a nusiance(sp),we are totally optional,dont have any issued but buy our own ball caps with Sheriff printed on them.I only wear mine in bad weather to protect that lil shiny spot onthe back of my head where there usta be hair

[213th]

hats are ovferrateded.

[countybear]

The secret to an invalid ticket is to get his pants off in the back seat, but so far I haven't gotten any "takers"

Disclaimer:

We'd like to stress that the person posting this is not a law enforcement officer. He is posting it while making a dubious attempt at humor, and is not to be taken seriously whatsoever. We only allow him to post because he pays us well for the opportunity to do so, otherwise we'd have banned his ass long ago...

We now return to your regularly scheduled thread.

[Cidp24]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to countybear again.

LMAO