By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Police Division had probable cause for junking their old style uniforms. Their motive – give the officers something more functional and durable on the job.
Police Chief Tony Hetrick explained to city council Monday evening that the department had not updated its uniforms for 40 years. And the French blue pants and old style navy or white shirts were just not functional, and needed to be retired, he said.
To show the changes, Sgt. Paul Tyson and Officer Ryan Rosacrans modeled the new navy blue uniforms for council.
“It’s a lot more functional uniform,” Hetrick said, noting that reflective portions of the uniform were an added safety feature.
And unlike the current uniform rules, which require the sergeants to wear white shirts, the new uniforms will be all navy for all members of the department. White is just too hard to keep clean while patrolling the streets, the chief said.
The new uniforms will no longer have the same type of gold buttons, that have to be removed from the shirt after wear, and replaced on a new shirt. That process can take 20 minutes, the chief said.
The design was the creation of input by several in the police division.
“We wanted something that looked more modern,” Hetrick said.
The new uniforms will hit the streets on all police officers by the end of May.
Also at Monday’s meeting, Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter announced that “Coffee with a Cop” is being hosted by the Not In Our Town organization on March 23, from 8 to 10 a.m., at Tim Horton’s in Bowling Green.
