On campuses around the nation, there are often two styles of dress for security officials. One is very formal and pulled together, similar to a police officer’s attire. Officers dressed in these garments look professional and have an air of authority to them. Often times, individuals feel safe simply by looking at their appearance, although others may feel threatened by the officers’ conservative dress.

On the other hand, there are officers who wear the more relaxed uniform. Instead of police-style apparel, these guards are dressed in polo shirts and casual pants. Some believe this type of garment makes campus officers more approachable. Also, officers may feel more comfortable. However, the relaxed appearance may give others the impression these employees are not as professional.

These opinions of the two different styles of dress for these officers are very common in the public safety world. It can be a challenge, then, for public security officials who must determine how their officers should be dressed. Should they have officers look more traditional, or should officers look more casual and approachable? After interviewing several public safety directors, manufacturers and retail stores, the consensus reflects that with a few exceptions, traditional styles are preferred on campuses.

Uniforms Evolve, Although Tradition Stands Strong

When Chief of Security Jim Bondi first stepped on to the Illinois Math & Science Academy campus in Aurora, Ill., 21 years ago, campus safety officers were wearing blazers, button down shirts and gray slacks. This attire, however, often made it difficult for students and administrators to determine whether or not campus officers were really legit. According to Bondi, “The only thing identifiable on the uniform was the pocket badge. It had the school logo and the word ‘security’ [on it].” Shortly after, a school administrator decided it was time for change, and hence, the more traditional/standard apparel was introduced to the campus. Officers now wear navy blue police-type uniforms.

The same is true for Augusta, Maine-based Maine General Health Hospital’s Director of Security Kevin O’Leary. Upon his arrival at the hospital, security officers dressed in blazers and polo shirts, something this former law enforcer believed did not convey the appropriate professional image required of the job. O’Leary updated the uniforms. The officers of Maine General are now required to wear either a necktie, dickey or turtleneck, for what O’Leary believes gives the officers a more professional look.

However, not all campuses are interested in traditional attire. Marketing Director Nick Hoffman of Streichers, a retail store based in Minneapolis, sees more campuses leaning towards a less traditional dress code for their law enforcement departments. “Both campus security officers and police officers are asking for the casual style of uniform,” says Hoffman. “We’re seeing the adoption of polo shirts, especially with security officers moving around the student population.”

This trend can be seen at Keene College in Keene, N.H. Officers in the campus safety department were originally dressed in tactical pants and button-down shirts. Director Amanda Warman and her assistant director decided it was time to change, which inevitably increased the comfort of her employees. “I didn’t want the tactical look,” she says. “I wanted them to be comfortable.”

Modesto, Calif.-based 5.11 Tactical’s Sales Representative John Crist also sees an evolution in uniforms as the trend alters from classic/traditional to casual. “In uniforms, if you were to ask how many chiefs in the past allowed their guys to wear polos, tactical pants and shorts, there wouldn’t be very many,” Crist explains. “This whole evolution has developed within what is called a ‘uniform.’  Tactical Dress Uniforms (TDUs™), tactical pants, shorts and polos have changed the landscape.”

Comfort is Key, but Respect Plays a Bigger Role

Respect is a major issue for most campus safety directors when picking out a uniform. Being approachable to patients and students is also an important factor that public safety officers must take into account. For officers at Suffolk Va.-based Obici Hospital, having traditional-style uniforms adds to the respectability factor. Campus Security Director Linda Glasson says the navy blue jacket and gray slacks help her officers to feel more confident when approached by patients. “It gives them an opportunity to be more successful in their verbal interventions,” she explains.

O’Leary agrees. “Patients look to security officers for answers, and if they are dressed in a polo shirt or a blazer, they can easily be mistaken for a physician or someone in another department.”

Adds Bondi, whose security department is unarmed, “[With a traditional uniform] you’ll get the respect you deserve. When we changed from the casual uniforms, it was a huge improvement for safety officers to get people to respond and communicate with them.”From the less conventional attire standpoint, Hoffman observes the opposite. “My perception [from selling more relaxed uniforms] is that universities don’t want a military presence on campus. [It seems] they are looking for someone who’s more identifiable and more approachable. I think the [casual uniform] helps present that look.”

When Selecting Uniforms, Officer Opinions Count

While respect is definitely important when selecting a uniform, an officer’s comfort must also play a role when deciding what works best for the team. Some officers, such as the ones who work at New York City Schools, don’t have a say in what they wear. According to Security Director Osborne Frazier, the New York Police Department (NYPD) makes the decision for campus security, as they are a division of the NYPD. “It isn’t a question of whether or not we are going to select our uniforms. [Our uniforms] are laid out for us by the commissioner and his staff.” Their attire is similar to NYPD uniforms, with the exception of the patch. Instead of saying ‘Police Officer’ on the top rocker, it says ‘School Safety Division.’

For other departments, officers do indeed get a say in the selection of their clothing. Warman originally chose to switch from the traditional uniform because her team did not like the quality of the material. “It was polyester, and it was awful,” she exclaims. “Officers were really uncomfortable.” Although campus security still had to follow some guidelines provided by the university, such as color, team members were allowed to decide what style they wanted after Warman contacted a uniform vendor and brought items back for her officers to review.

Warman said it was a good idea because, “officers are always going to be responsible, because this is a part of their public image. It’s important to them to make good decisions about what they wear. They are wearing those uniforms all the time, so we want them to be comfortable.”

Bondi’s team takes a similar approach when picking their style. Officers are allowed to share their opinions on how they feel about the appearance of their uniforms, as long as it is within reason. For the most part, however, officers tend to follow the standard style of dress. “Probably a mix and match of winter coats is the only thing that my officers can get away with,” he says. “Pants and shirts are pretty standard.”

While members of O’Leary’s group don’t necessarily get to pick the design of what they wear, they are allowed to offer their opinions as to how they want to wear the standard uniform. Officers are allowed to wear a mix of the standard clothing. For example, they may wear the different styles of shirts that are offered – officers don’t always have to wear identical uniforms.

Make Officers Happy by Buying Quality

Decision-makers must take into account much more than style when purchasing uniforms. How an officer functions in it can make or break whether a uniform is worth purchasing. O’Leary knows about this first-hand. “When we buy our pants, we try to get something that’s user-friendly,
but also breathable. We try to buy quality uniforms for the staff. People may not like the color or the choice, but at least it is quality equipment.”

Warman saw how the condition of her department’s previous uniforms affected her officers, too. “When I got [to Keene], I didn’t like the quality of what they were wearing. Officers were really uncomfortable, and the shirts were really cheap.” To improve the quality of her department’s uniforms, Warman made sure her officers were able to maneuver and breathe. “Officers feel far more comfortable in our military-style sweaters. They’re more confident, and with that confidence, they have a sharper presence on campus.”

Security professionals also know that sometimes offering alternative solutions to the standard attire helps officers to feel more comfortable. Glasson, for example, gives her officers a choice, presenting two options of shirts that are both breathable and durable. For her officers whose necks get irritated by the button down oxford shirt, most wear the alternative, which is a regular shirt that does not have a button down collar.

When designing uniforms, manufacturers are aware of the officers’ need for comfort. Shana Brogden, marketing coordinator of Nashville, Tenn.-based VF Imagewear, says her company designs items that include breathable/moisture wicking fabrics and raglan sleeves. “We have also adapted the bi-swing back in many of our styles for a better range of motion and more comfortable fit,” Brogden explains. “Our Special Ops pants have elastic in the waistband for increased comfort.”

5.11 Tactical has also designed clothing to withstand wear and tear. The material is the same for Class A and Class B type uniforms, which really appeals to patrons, Crist says. Also, the company has added functionality to their product. “Our pant is a work pant. If you’re looking for a traditional dress uniform, ours doesn’t fit as tightly, which makes it more comfortable to wear. It has the diamond gusseted crotch so it doesn’t rip or tear, and the gusset on the shoulder compensates for body armor.”

Can I Get a Raise on My Clothing Allowance?

Of course, an important question is that of the stipend. Whose responsibility is it to purchase the uniforms? Is it the officer’s duty? The supervisor’s? When asked, the majority of institutions interviewed were rather generous when it came to the uniforms their officers wear.

At the NYC Schools, the NYPD hands out a uniform allowance to officers, who are then required to purchase their own uniforms at the NYPD headquarters.

Security officers at Obici Hospital are given one set of clothes they must maintain. However, if the uniform gets damaged too badly, the department will purchase another for the officer. “We have not gotten that sophisticated,” says Glasson. “If it wears out, then we’ll replace it. Most full-time officers get their uniforms replaced every year, and part-time officers will get theirs replaced maybe every third year.” And while the department purchases the uniform, the wearer is in charge of shoes and socks.

For Keene College, Maine General Health and Illinois Math & Science Academy, security departments also present start up uniforms to their teams. At Keene, officers are even treated to a cleaning service for the uniforms, if they so desire.

However, officers must be aware of the amount they receive in their allowance and use it wisely. While Bondi initially provides his officers with uniforms, it is the officer’s duty to maintain the appearance of the outfit with the stipend supplied. Often times, Bondi says, his officers would rather use their allowance on boots; however, they are required to maintain a clean, professional look with their uniforms.

Making Deals With Retail Stores is Beneficial

Decision-makers must also be aware of pricing. Some campuses are not lucky enough to have a huge budget when it comes to purchasing items necessary for officers. However, shopping is always best when you receive a deal.

Retail stores are trying to make it easier for security professionals to order affordable uniforms. Streichers, for example, goes to different agencies and negotiates contracts. When a new officer joins the force, that individual is able to order a uniform at a predetermined price, making it more affordable for the individual. Streichers has also developed a system that helps manage paperwork to keep track of all uniform allowances.

While some of the subjects Campus Safety magazine interviewed said their schools or hospitals did not receive a deal when ordering bulk uniforms, some campuses, like Keene College, believe it is a better investment to spend more on quality than buy the cheaper uniform. Eventually, those uniforms are going to wear out and inevitably, they must be purchased again.

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The Bottom Line

• While some campuses believe a traditional style commands more respect, others feel the relaxed look makes officers more approachable, especially in K-12 schools
• Comfort and durability are important. Manufacturers are now designing uniforms that allow wearers to move freely without ripping
• Buying the more expensive, highly durable uniform will save money in the long run
• Set up a plan with manufacturers/retail stores to save time on paperwork and save money

Ashley Willis is the assistant editor for Campus Safety magazine. She can be reached at ashley.willis@bobit.com.

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