Thursday, August 11, 2011

During a recent string of hot and humid days health officials in New Jersey urged people to take proper precautions to deal with the weather conditions. There was the usual call for staying out of the sun and inside air conditioned buildings and drinking plenty of water. One of the other suggestions was to wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing and it’s obvious the New Jersey State Police as well as other police departments don’t heed that advice. We were talking the other day about how State Troopers really need a better summer uniform, even if it makes them look a little less intimidating. Have you seen what they have to wear…even on a 100 degree day? It’s something that works well when it’s 50 outside but not when the mercury rises like it does in July & August. I mean the long blue sleeves with neck-tie and navy pants. You can’t tell me its comfortable patrolling in that uniform. Sure you can crank-up the AC while driving but when you’re outside the car your body just has to be as hot as you know what. Look I understand and appreciate the whole honor, duty, fidelity thing but isn’t it likely that wearing that uniform does not allow you to perform at 100% efficiency?

Why couldn’t troopers wear a white shirt with short-sleeves and is a tie really necessary in the summer? Those I know in the State Police say the uniform does carry a certain amount of tradition along with being imposing and yes even intimidating. Supposedly they were modeled after German army uniforms and when you come face to face with a trooper in full uniform and hat you might start to twitch a bit. However in the summer there’s also a pretty good chance he’ll be sweating even worse than you.

By the way it seems to me that generally speaking women do a better job of dressing for hot weather then men…at least when it comes to the workplace.
I’ll never understand the need for men to wear full suits on the hottest days yet there they are in blue, black and grey walking around and often looking worn and wrinkled. If you have to wear a suit at least take off the jacket when you can.