The North-American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) awarded their Public Safety Best Dressed Awards to police, fire and sheriff uniform programs in the U.S. and Canada. The NAUMD has a 39-year long tradition of recognizing the best dressed departments. Awards are given by category with three sub-categories by size of agency to law enforcement and first responders. A single private security company award was available. While separate awards, the sub-categories for both law enforcement and first responders were organized the same: small agencies with under 100 officers, medium agencies with 100 to 500 officers, and large agencies with over 500 officers.
Judges from the fashion industry award points for originality, meeting client objectives and overall design. According to this year’s program requirements and rules, uniforms had to be worn currently—any uniform program must have begun Oct. 31, 2016.
Winning agencies were announced in an awards dinner during the NAUMD Annual Convention & Expo, May 2.
Is your new uniform an award-winner?
Interested law enforcement agencies may find more information how to enter next year’s program at the NAUMD website at www.naumd.com.
... and now for the Best Dressed in Public Safety!
Winner of the Small Department Award 100 Officers or Less
Metroparks of the Toledo Area, the Toledo Metroparks Rangers
Toledo, Ohio, metroparkstoledo.com
- NAUMD Member: Superior Uniform Sales Inc.
Describe how the department’s uniform balances appearance, functionality and comfort. What tradeoffs were made to meet the department’s goals?
“Metroparks of the Toledo Area utilizes input from front-line rangers to establish seasonal adjustments to the approved patrol uniform for the organization’s law enforcement personnel. Functionality is primary…However, [this] is balanced with appearance and comfort through seasonal changes in the approved uniform…The utilization of a wide range of approved uniform items—from coats and sweaters to external vests and shorts—has offered the Metropark Rangers the best possible work conditions to perform their duties year round…[We] investigated the use of external carriers, but ultimately chose an external vest carrier that blended with the uniform rather than serving as a means for carrying additional equipment. The trade-off was made to maximize the public perception of the department’s rangers as approachable and friendly public servants. While the equipment vests would have been useful to the rangers, they ultimately felt that the public would view them as overly intimidating and militaristic.”
Winner of the Medium-sized Department Award 100 to 500 Officers
South Salt Lake City Police Department
South Lake City, Utah, www.southsaltlakecity.com/department-listings/police
- NAUMD Member: Fechheimer Brothers Company
What recent changes to the uniform program incorporated new technologies, innovations or designs to improve the uniform?
“The change to poly/wool accomplished all their uniform requirements. They really like the comfort and crisp professional appearance.”
Winner of the Large Department Award Over 500 Officers
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
San Antonio, Texas, www.bexar.org/600/sheriffs-office
- NAUMD Member: Galls LLC
“The department selected the Flying Cross Poly/Wool uniforms after extensive weartest to find a balance between function, breathability, and professional appearance.”
How does the department’s uniform design impact the perception by the public?
“Bexar County wanted a professional approachable uniform that wasn’t perceived as being unfriendly, while providing the features Deputies needed to preform their duties.”
What problems were solved or benefits created by changes to the uniform?
“The addition stretch panel sides allowed for a cleaner look with more flexibility.”
