Officers no longer allowed to wear white undershirts

[Sierra]

http://www.wgal.com/news/13428524/detail.html

The chief of the Harrisburg police is changing the color of his officers' uniforms, and it's a decision that has nothing to do with fashion -- he says it's about protecting their lives.

Chief Charles Kellar said officers' white undershirts stick out just enough above their bulletproof vests to form what he said gang members refer to as the "fatal V." He said it's a spot that's easy to target, and, if hit, could easily kill an officer.

Kellar said the bullet barely missed hitting Officer John Salvadia about a month ago while he was responding to a burglary in the 2500 block of North Third Street.

"On a dare supposedly, he was shot at by some young juveniles," Kellar said. "And we've had other incidents where our officers have been shot at at night. We're running into more and more problems with gun violence. We're encountering more people at night with guns."

So far, they've all been close calls, but Kellar said it was enough to make changes.

"We've eliminated anything white on the officer as far as shirts or even the T-shirts," he said. "Especially at night, a white shirt or a white T-shirt certainly would stand out."

"It's sad it had to come to that," Kellar said. "The attitudes of some of these kids that we're getting with guns, they have no problem shooting you or anybody else."

So now all officers, including lieutenants, captains and even the chief, have switched to dark blue shirts with black undershirts. This summer, they may be a little hotter, but the chief said they'll be a lot safer.

Is that why ICE and Border Patrol mandate V-neck instead of crew neck t-shirts? Any other department do this?

[Big Sexy]

Is that why ICE and Border Patrol mandate V-neck instead of crew neck t-shirts? Any other department do this?[/QUOTE]

BIG is currently ICE and at one time was BP. Don't remember any mandates about t-shirts. :confused:

BIG wears black, because it hides the dirt better. :D

[michiganstud]

Very good and SMART decision.

[Darin]

Very good and SMART decision.

+1


That was one of the first things our new Chief changed. Very good Officer safety change.

[Norm357]

+1


That was one of the first things our new Chief changed. Very good Officer safety change.

Is this the same Chief that wont let you carry a back up?

[sparty]

We have to wear crew neck white t-shirts and aren't allowed to carry back-up guns.:mad:

[Hockey9019]

Where I work they are trying to mandate we wear white TShirts. I'm one of the few guys that wear a vest and thats the number one reason. I don't want to let everyone know I'm wearing a vest because of the color difference

[Sierra]

Is that why ICE and Border Patrol mandate V-neck instead of crew neck t-shirts? Any other department do this?

BIG is currently ICE and at one time was BP. Don't remember any mandates about t-shirts. :confused:

BIG wears black, because it hides the dirt better. :D

It might be just a FLETC thing then, because information on the academy says V necks only. However, an IEA here in Phoenix (where I got most of my info on IEA) says crew necks aren't allowed.

[drkknght]

Unfortunately we are fighting with our company about this topic also but our supervisor (s) are idiots and will not listen to reason. Were allowed to wear black turtlenecks in the winter but we are not allowed to wear black t-shirts:confused: we do anyways but....

I know our FPS officers wear (issued?) what most of us wear. Black under armor
shirts. Sometimes under armor isn't the most comfortable at the end of the day though IMO.

This one reason I love this site. You guys give me information and fuel for my fire:D

[Cat_Doc]

PCSO has mandated black t-shirts for at least the last five years and we are allowed to carry back-up guns.

[drkknght]

PCSO has mandated black t-shirts for at least the last five years and we are allowed to carry back-up guns.

Do you work for Pierce County (WA) CatDoc?

[Cat_Doc]

Do you work for Pierce County (WA) CatDoc?

No, Sir. I am out in Arizona.

[drkknght]

No, Sir. I am out in Arizona.

Thanks Cat... When I hear PCSO the first thing that pops to my head is Pierce County Sher riff. I was just curious thank you for clarifying:D

[Cat_Doc]

When I hear PCSO the first thing that pops to my head is Pierce County Sheriff.

There are two PCSOs in Arizona. I work for the one that wears tan shirts, not those silly looking pinkish ones. :D (Waiting to see if there are any "PCSO South" guys that are going to thrash me for that one. ;))

[drkknght]

There are two PCSOs in Arizona. I work for the one that wears tan shirts, not those silly looking pinkish ones. :D (Waiting to see if there are any "PCSO South" guys that are going to thrash me for that one. ;))

LOL.... I am sure they will be along soon enough:D