If you were to take the original law enforcement uniform and compare it to the ones we use today, you would notice a significant number of differences between them. However, you may not be able to notice the specific differences and advancements present in current police uniforms since most of the obvious changes are related to outdated fashion and technology.

A better comparison would be to look at the uniforms officers used roughly 10 years ago and compare them to what we use now. And that’s exactly what we’re here to do today. We want to take a look at how police uniforms have changed over recent years and go over why these changes exist. That way, everyone can gain a better understanding of these drastic changes.

The Older Uniform Ideals

Law enforcement has always been a field that is deeply rooted in tradition. From the way they follow procedures to how they commemorate those who’ve fallen in the line of duty, police officers are all about doing things the way they always have. That doesn’t mean police departments aren’t open to change, but some areas have stayed rather stagnant over the years.

One facet of police work that used to be more traditional was the uniforms. Not that long ago, most police officers chose the more traditional shirt, pants, and cap that officers had been using for many years prior. While these garments looked good, they weren’t the most versatile or comfortable.

How New Uniforms Have Changed

As the technology behind clothing advanced, so did the standard police uniform. While some popular options still draw from the old-school law enforcement style, most uniforms now use thinner, more maneuverable materials. The best part is that they don’t have to sacrifice quality in order to do so.

With stronger materials and features such as ripstop, uniforms are much less likely to tear, and when they do, the rip often isn’t as bad. Plus, these materials hold color better, meaning officers can machine wash their uniforms without fear of them fading or degrading in quality.

The outer carrier is the biggest recent addition to the standard law enforcement uniform. Police officers used to wear bulletproof gear underneath their uniforms. However, styles and customs have changed quite rapidly in this career lately. It’s much better for officers to wear this type of gear on the outside of their clothes since doing so allows them to attach some of their equipment directly to the outer carrier. This frees up more space on their belts and makes it easier to move around.

Why These Changes Happened

Now that you can see how the standard police uniform has changed over time, it’s important to understand why this shift happened. Even though this is a career rooted in tradition, police departments need to make changes that make each and every officer’s job easier.

Having a higher range of movement and more room to store gear and equipment opens up the options an officer will have while in the field. This will make them more capable of making the right call and saving lives while on duty. If this sounds like something you want to be able to do for yourself, check out the law enforcement clothing we have available online. We’re sure it’ll help your overall performance as an officer.