Posted on 03/04/2005 3:47:55 AM PST by billorites
Boston's finest have been ordered to dress the part.
Detectives are now required to wear ``business casual'' attire. Patrol cops were ordered to remove any earrings or pins not issued by Boston police and to change after working uniformed details so they are not coming to work dirty.
The edict was passed to Boston police supervisors by Bureau of Field Services Superintendent Robert Dunford shortly after he was appointed last month. He also demanded that detectives attend roll call, ordinarily not a requirement.
``When any police officer has contact with a citizen, they represent the Boston Police Department,'' Dunford said yesterday. ``We expect them to be accountable and professional at all times.''
Dunford was quick to add that most Boston police officers live up to the ``finest'' nickname, but there are slouches on the street.
``We don't want people in shorts or hospital pants,'' he said.
The union that represents detectives said ``business casual'' is too loosely defined, and there should be an increase to the $650 yearly uniform allowance - which has not increased in 15 years.
``A pair of uniform slacks is $90. A jacket is $300. Now we are going to be expected to pick up the cost of `business casual,' '' said Robert Kenney, president of the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society. ``I am 100 percent behind anything that will professionalize the detectives, but we should be compensated for those changes.''
Dunford has agreed to a meeting with union officials but said simple khaki pants and collared shirts will do.
Disgusted detectives said they always dress professionally when testifying in court but prefer jeans when executing warrants or when working with fingerprint dust.
``Some of this stuff is toxic,'' said one detective, who asked not to be named. ``We don't want to bring this stuff home.''
Dunford said Tyvec protective suits will be delivered to detective squads to protect them in the coming days.
I don't know why, but I think John Fashion-conscious Kerry had something to do with this.
Nice shoes.
Put em all in uniform.
After 4 months let them go back to ``business casual''. The transformation & compliance rate to dress code at that point will be 100%.
Doesn't matter if they can catch crooks just so long as they look "meterosexual".
I guess that Bostonians will have to "DIG" a little deeper into taxpayer's pockets.
Do you want a cop that looks good or a cop that does a good job? The fashion police has run amok! Give me a Serpico any day!
I gotta go with "good job."
Kinda reminds me of the whole bit with the Air Marshals. Make sure they stand out just enough so that they can't do their job.
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