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Vintage-style Coppers

handlebar bart

Call Me a Cab
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2,623
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at work
In honor of Alans post about Atlanta cops in fedoras I thought I would share this picture with you.
centennial89zs4.jpg

In 1989 in honor of our centennial the Olympia Police, including my Dad, wore uniforms like the ones worn in 1909. As it was 1989, they already had sizable moustacheslol lol lol but to go along with the uniform they were encouraged to grow even more sizable handlebars to accessorize the uniforms. Pistols were kept out of view under the coats.
 

DerMann

Practically Family
Messages
608
Location
Texas
That reminds me of the episode of Jeeves and Wooster where Bertie's friend, Cyril Bassington-Bassington, has just arrived from England in New York, and mistook a policeman for a postman, stating that the police in New York didn't dress properly :D
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
Sharp. I'm sure you can't beat modern police uniforms in respect of functionality, but ther'es just something so much more elegant about those early twnetieth century uniforms with the double-breasted tunic.
 

1911 Man

A-List Customer
Messages
350
Location
Utah
Edward said:
Sharp. I'm sure you can't beat modern police uniforms in respect of functionality, but ther'es just something so much more elegant about those early twnetieth century uniforms with the double-breasted tunic.


Oh trust me, you can beat modern police uniforms.

For the last several years my department authorized cotton blend uniforms with cloth badges and embroidered name tags. This summer, our new chief decided they just didn't look traditional enough, so away they went. Now we are back to wool and wool blend uniforms (they sure feel comfy when it's 100+ degrees, like it is every summer here :rolleyes: ) with traditional pin badges and name plates (that get pulled off easily when you have to fight with a combative arrestee). There are departments that authorize polo shirts and cotton fatigue style pants, but not us. I wonder if our admin's next step toward tradition will include turning in our semi-autos for "traditional" police revolvers and issuing call box keys.
 

metropd

One Too Many
Messages
1,764
Location
North America
I am seeing more San Diego Police Officers wearing their service caps in the field. Still you could count them on 2 hands but a few years ago it was unheard of.

San Diego has a wonderful Police Chief named William Lansdowne who I hold in the highest regard:eusa_clap :eusa_clap ::eusa_clap . He is an exceptional police chief, a great politician and most importantly a remarkable person. Plus for fedora loungers he brought back the service caps and dress ike jackets.

The city has Huge problems on many levels but they found the right man for the job.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
1911 Man said:
Oh trust me, you can beat modern police uniforms.

For the last several years my department authorized cotton blend uniforms with cloth badges and embroidered name tags. This summer, our new chief decided they just didn't look traditional enough, so away they went. Now we are back to wool and wool blend uniforms (they sure feel comfy when it's 100+ degrees, like it is every summer here :rolleyes: ) with traditional pin badges and name plates (that get pulled off easily when you have to fight with a combative arrestee). There are departments that authorize polo shirts and cotton fatigue style pants, but not us. I wonder if our admin's next step toward tradition will include turning in our semi-autos for "traditional" police revolvers and issuing call box keys.

lol I'd love to have a callbox, myself..... so long as it as the 'bigger inside than out' variety. ;) When I say "modern," I'm really thinking of the polo shirt and combat pants type of kit.... I can certainly see how those might be preferable from a practical POV, though tbh I find it kinda hard to take officers as seriously when they look like they're dressed for the office soccer tournament as opposed to in uniform. lol There's surely got to be something that would fulfill both functions, though - comfort and an authoritative looking uniform.... I'm thinknig something along the lines of the USAAF boys in the early 40s, with their A2s, shirt, tie and pinks. All rank and division insignia could be cloth patches, stitched onto jacket and shirt.... :)
 

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