The US’s highly decentralized system of law enforcement offers a great deal of variation when it comes to police uniforms. Although American police fashion has evolved over the years, some general conventions and styles remain. While some stay longer than others, others soon leave as well.
The uniform is worn so that police officers can establish a visible presence while on patrol, so they can identify themselves quickly to nonpolice officers or colleagues at crime scenes, and so they can better coordinate their efforts. As of today, most American law enforcement agencies design their own uniforms for municipal and county law enforcement, often with negligible state regulation. Due to this, the police uniform in the United States is not standardized.
It is possible, however, to notice certain trends in general. In many large police departments, officers are provided with a choice of two kinds of uniforms. They are called tactical clothing and traditional clothing. The material and cut of the Police tactical uniforms are similar to the old U.S. Army battle dress uniform. During patrols and other physically demanding tasks, police officers typically wear them with their police gear and weapons.
Modern uniforms are worn more often than traditional uniforms, which are usually reserved for station assignments, special events, and formal functions. The uniforms worn by this type of policeman may not have police gear or weapons. Besides these two basic types of uniform, there are several specialized clothing options available. There are times when pipe bands of the police wear highland dresses or jumpsuits. In general, the clothing should be worn in accordance with the assignment or operation. There are some uniforms that would impede mobility and agility in high-risk situations. This is more in a situation where extra police gear such as and ballistic shiels needs to be carried by the officers.
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