Usually, here at The Daily Reveille, we leave fashion writing to the Entertainment section. We opinion writers are usually happy if we can get out of the house in the morning with a pair of matching socks and no exposed nipples.
But last week, after the Louisiana State Police were selected by the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors for as the best-dressed state agency, the opportunity was too good to pass up.
I’d like to congratulate the state troopers for winning this presumably prestigious award.
As State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmondson said, “It’s always nice to receive recognition …The Louisiana State Police has always taken great pride in the uniform that we wear as it represents our commitment to the citizens of Louisiana whom we serve.”
The Louisiana state trooper uniform is one of the few in the state I’ve never had the privilege of dealing with personally, but it’s not hard to see why it was honored.
The entire uniform is pulled together by a deep shade of navy blue, from the slacks to the double-breast-pocketed shirt to the iconic state trooper flat-brim hat. The pocket flaps, shoulder straps and hat brim are outlined in brilliant gold piping, complemented by the gold Louisiana-shaped badge and what appear to be shiny brass buttons.
On the whole, it’s a classy, understated ensemble well worthy of winning the award. They’re definitely better than Rhode Island’s seemingly Nazi-inspired
jackboots-and-pantaloons look, anyway.
But it’s pretty obviously a cop’s uniform, and I feel the state police could take a step further to make their uniform reflect the unique culture and law enforcement issues that present themselves in the Pelican State.
Southern Louisiana cops could rock some Kevlar-reinforced waders or galoshes to deal with the dual threat of gun-toting swamp people and bayou water parasites.
Maybe New Orleans patrolmen could take a page out of the professional sports playbook and add a sleeve badge reminding them there are still problems with the force. Something like “Driving While Black — Not Actually a Crime” or “Savage Nightstick Beatings are Not an Appropriate Response to Noise Complaints.”
Or even something a little more succinct, like “Don’t Tase Old People.”
And I’m sure there’s a sizable population in the state who’d love to have the police back in dusters and cowboy boots, whipping out Colt .45s at every traffic stop and assembling posses in their spare time.
Sure, there are benefits to having police in simple, easily recognizable uniforms.
Underage bar patrons, not that the LSU community would know anything about those, are certainly thankful for the police’s eye-catching uniforms. They make for an excellent reminder of the evacuation route out the back of the bar.
And the cops are probably thankful too. As several part-time security officers and traffic meter enforcers, who preferred to remain anonymous, have told me, women do, indeed, “love a man in uniform.”
That makes for happy cops. And happy cops get the force working like a well-lubricated machine.
Like I said, I’m no fashion expert. I can’t remember the last day I didn’t wear flip-flops.
I’m just thrilled the Louisiana State Police have been recognized for outstanding achievement in something besides racial profiling.
Gordon Brillon is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Lincoln, R.I.
