Uniform care

[Titansfanmjfink]

Just curious how much time everyone spends on their uniform. How often do you iron your shirts/pants? How often to you polish your boots?

And just for my specific knowledge: are you supposed to iron a crease in your patch when you iron your sleeves? I've seen that some officers do, and some dont. IMO it looks kinda stupid... but if thats how its supposed to be done... thats how I'll do it.

[Taz_bb2]

When I was first hired and got my uniforms (about a week before I was sworn in) I immediately went to the cleaners to get the alterations done. I had extra heavy starch put on mine and made sure they understood that the crease goes down the middle.

They looked great the first week, but even after I washed them in the washer and dryer, the crease was still there. I haven't had to get it "re-creased" since.

And there are other ways to get the crease to stay...without starch. ;)

Creases just look more professional, IMO. To me, it means that you took the time to make sure your appearance was top notch, professional, and impeccable. That usually translates to the Officers actions... on and off duty. :cool:

[Titansfanmjfink]

so do you crease through the patch? Or crease up the sleeve and stop at the patch?

[Taz_bb2]

Through the patch...all the way to the top of the sleeve.

[Roger Dat]

I have three short sleeve and long sleeve uniforms, I wear one uniform for 2 or 3 days in a row and then switch, as soon as im done wearing my uniform it goes right back to the cleaners to be pressed again. appearance goes a long way.

[Novichok]

I crease behind the patch. I like how it presents the patch towards the front, making it more visible.

It takes about 1 hour on a weekend to starch and iron 3-4 uniforms.

Boots take about a total of 2 hours per week. I've gotten pretty good at doing a good polish job on my days off to last for a few days, needing only a little touch up, depending on how much I managed to scuff them up during the week.

[Switchback]

All I have to say is that you guys are really making me appreciate my t-shirts, 5.11s (or jeans) and Merrill hiking boots!

[stewie]

Just curious how much time everyone spends on their uniform. How often do you iron your shirts/pants? How often to you polish your boots?

And just for my specific knowledge: are you supposed to iron a crease in your patch when you iron your sleeves? I've seen that some officers do, and some dont. IMO it looks kinda stupid... but if thats how its supposed to be done... thats how I'll do it.

Uniforms are dry-cleaned/pressed. We don't wear patches so I can't help you there. Here p-3's wear two stripes (corporal) and some crease down the middle others don't (same with SGT's). I polish the boots just about everyday before roll call. Sam browne polished as needed. Badge too. Uniform appearance is a top priority with Southern California PD's.

[Darin]

Our uniforms are pretty good to take care of. An every other month trip to the dry cleaners for pressing is all mine needs. I get the patch creased. I think it looks better and neater. Boots get polished as needed which is usually once or twice a week.

[Kimball]

Boots: if you work county they get dirty everyday

[citcop]

My agency pays for dry cleaning so we just drop them off when needed. As for boots, I put a little polish on and buff them out when needed.

[Aussie George]

I use spray on starch (CRISP).

Our pants are light cotton blend and quite frankly are crap!!!

When I was on the road, I used to iron them (my wife does not iron!!!) and crease down the front of each leg.

Shirts are usually short sleeve and light blue cotton (great for showing up every stain) Our patch is usually centered in the middle of the arm. I tried to iron them down the rear of the patch at first (when I moved department) but found that the crease did not sit well on my shoulder so I have gone back to centre of patch due to the way it sits better on sleeve.

Boots (especially in winter here) get muddy real quick so as long as they aren't dirty they are fine by me. I give them a splash of liquid polish at the start of shift just so they look good and every now and then either a touch up with Dubbin or proper polish to give them that extra bit of protection.

Now that I am on radio I don't take as much care as I used to. Sitting in a big chair all day does nothing for your clothes - they always look crinkled - but I make sure they look good at the start of shift when I walk in the door.

I agree with the others, pride in uniform and appearance goes a long way, but I am ex-Army so I had that drilled into me for ten years.

[Aussie George]

Oh unless it is winter and freezing cold, then I might get a bit relaxed towards ironing. Jumper and/or jacket on = no point wasting time ironing. :D

[Sierra]

I dry clean mine with no crease on the patch (I can't wait for my BDUs to come in to replace the Class As). Boots get polished about every other day when they get scuffed looking.

I've seen the crease on the patch both ways. I think, for us at least, that it is a matter of officer preference.