It’s a pretty simple concept, but it makes sense. When you’re out in public, you want to blend in; if people think you look more like an officer than a civilian, then they might hesitate to approach you or even call 911 in case of emergency. But when you’re wearing your official uniform, you stand out. You’ve got authority on your side, which means people will listen to what you say (or at least be afraid to oppose you). As such, uniforms — especially those worn by law enforcement officers — have been around for ages. If you’ve ever seen a cop in full costume, from his hat to his boots to his badge, you probably know that he’s not just any old guy. He wears the uniform because he represents a specific group of people who are trained to handle certain situations.
That’s where sheriffs come in. They’re elected officials who preside over counties, cities, townships, boroughs, etc., all across the United States. In each location, there is usually a sheriff, whether or not he has any police powers. That means he can’t arrest anyone unless he gets permission from the jurisdiction’s courts. It also means he doesn’t have many powers beyond enforcing the laws set forth by state governments. For instance, he can’t order people into or out of their homes, so he can’t evict tenants. A sheriff can only arrest someone under certain circumstances, including a crime committed in his presence or a warrant issued by a judge.
But sheriffs aren’t the only people who wear uniforms. Law enforcement officers are divided up based on the kind of job they do. For example, a police officer is responsible for patrolling streets and making arrests, while firefighters tend to be assigned to fire stations. A bailiff serves as the judicial representative of the court, often in cases where the accused person cannot afford legal representation. A deputy sheriff protects the courthouse and other government buildings. Each of these jobs comes with its own set of rules, and each requires different training. So how did we get to this point? How did a man dressed in a suit become our first official lawman?
The first known use of uniforms was during the Revolutionary War, when British soldiers wore them. Soldiers from both sides fought in battles across the Atlantic Ocean and were separated based on which side they fought for. The American Revolutionaries didn’t fight on the front line, but their counterparts fought alongside the British. These men wore blue coats and white trousers, and they carried long rifles. They were also issued hats, gloves, boots, and belts made of leather.
After the war, Americans began adapting these uniforms for themselves. In fact, most states had their own versions of the British army’s uniform, complete with colors and symbols. New Hampshire’s version included red jackets over white shirts, and the state seal emblazoned on the front. Connecticut’s version featured green coats with yellow stripes down the sides. And New York’s version featured a similar coat with a blue collar and dark blue cuffs. However, these weren’t the only options. Massachusetts’ version went for the opposite color scheme, with a white shirt and a light blue jacket. Other options included a gray coat and a brown waistcoat.
Eventually, the U.S. Army adopted a standardized uniform design. Their version included a black jacket with silver buttons and brass buttons. This design would later be adopted by several military branches of the U.S. government.
But before the U.S. Army became the norm, some states opted to go in another direction. Some states decided to replace their existing coats with a new one that came in different colors. Others chose a completely new design. Regardless of the decision, these new uniforms eventually became the standard.
By the late 1800s, law enforcement agencies started adopting uniforms as well. Before that time, the only way police could identify themselves was through badges. Now, they could simply put on a coat and a badge. Some agencies still used this method, but others found that their officers needed something better to distinguish themselves. After all, a badge alone isn’t going to stop someone from running away once he sees a police car.
In 1881, Illinois became the first state to adopt a formal uniform. At the time, police were required to have a special license to carry guns, and officers were authorized to arrest people only after getting permission from judges. Under the new standards, every officer now wore a badge, a hat, a tunic, pants, suspenders, and a belt. This system worked pretty well until 1902, when Illinois passed a new law requiring all state officers to wear a uniform. Officers no longer had to seek a judge’s permission to make an arrest, though they still had to obtain a permit to carry a gun.
While uniforms were being adopted across America, other countries were also beginning to establish a police force. England established a national police force in 1793, and Germany created the Reichswehr in 1919. Both nations quickly adopted a uniform consisting of a hat, coat, and tie.
As for the United States, the Bureau of Police Standards and Training was the first agency to take the issue seriously. In 1928, it developed a list of guidelines for police officers to follow. It included things like the height of hats, the style of ties, and the length of coats. All of this was designed to help officers create the best impression possible. By the 1930s, almost every city and town in the country had adopted a police uniform, and they all followed the same basic tenets.
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During World War II, the idea of having a uniform became somewhat controversial. Many people believed that having law enforcement officers don a uniform made it easier for them to shoot innocent civilians. Others argued that a uniform allowed the cops to intimidate suspects without actually having to touch them. Still others worried that the uniform promoted bad behavior among the cops.
Regardless, the idea of having law enforcement officers wear a uniform persisted, and many departments continued to develop their own styles. Today, every law enforcement agency in the United Sates follows the same general principles.
