No more western attire for deputies in Sublette (Cody: 2015, credit)

[volosong]

What's the world coming to? From Reuters:

Wyoming deputy rides into sunset after dress code bans cowboy hats | Reuters

[ElkHunter]

Newly elected???? Whoops.

I noticed that he was quoted as saying that a deputy needed soft rubber soles for traction, so leather western style uppers were not allowed. When a deputy runs, does he run on the western style leather uppers, or can he get by with just running on the soles like the rest of us? Are foot chases, in Cody, becoming a problem?

Around here, a deputy is allowed his choice of cowboy hat or ball cap. It seems that either one has no effect on foot chases. Nor does it have any effect on identification. The last time I was stopped, with the whooop whooop of the siren, the flashing red, whit, and blue lights, coupled with a person wearing a gun, I had no sought I was pulled over by a law enforcement individual, and to tell you the truth, I couldn't tell you what type of head gear or foot wear the individual had on.

Wonder if people will start a recall over something as trivial as this?

[ScottStielow]

Originally Posted by volosong

What's the world coming to? From Reuters:

Wyoming deputy rides into sunset after dress code bans cowboy hats | Reuters

I read the same story on Yahoo about the same time volosong. You beat me to posting.
The story does not really say what the Civilian population thinks of the situation.
Like EH Said. Getting pulled over by a Deputy Sheriff. All your attention will be on what the heck you did wrong. Not what uniform he will be wearing!
Should be able to wear what ever head gear you want out in the field.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by ScottStielow

...All your attention will be on what the heck you did wrong. Not what uniform he will be wearing!
Should be able to wear what ever head gear you want out in the field.

Maybe a Sikh turban? Lots of truckers are wearing them!
https://www.google.com/search?q=Sikh...w&ved=0CEMQsAQ

Should be secure in a foot chase, and looks good with tennies.

[branDcalf]

I think the sheriff goofed on this and I hope he responds to the pressure from his force and community and rescinds that policy.

[thedwightguy]

Originally Posted by branDcalf

I think the sheriff goofed on this and I hope he responds to the pressure from his force and community and rescinds that policy.

The whole idea of a cowboy hat is to indicate that law enforcement is very much a part of the community. Cities everywhere are trying to come up with ways to defuse the "Us Against Them" dynamic between forces and the communities they serve.

What were the thinking?

[Mr. Cooper]

As a retired city police officer of over 20 years I'd like to comment on the cowboy hat situation.

When I first started, we were required to wear our hats every time we got out of the patrol car. Since the hats were big (not cowboy hats) we didn't wear them inside the car because they there just wasn't enough room. So when we made a stop we had to grab the hat which meant we took our eyes off of the vehicle we were stopping. It doesn't sound like a big deal and almost always isn't, but it can be an officer safety issue. Eventually, the rule was changed for that reason, and ball caps were later allowed.

Having said that, I realize that there is a difference between being a city cop and a rural cop, however the basics of safety are still the same. Personally, I don't have a problem with western uniforms including the wearing of a cowboy hat, although a ballcap can be worn inside of the vehicle without the worry of it getting bumped off upon exit of the vehicle. In Wyoming I would almost expect to see most law enforcement folks wearing cowboy hats.

[GregW]

So what kind of hats are now required? Without the Stetson I would wonder why a Chicago or NYC cop was stopping me in Wyoming?

[branDcalf]

You make a valid point, Mr. Cooper. And we don't have walls around our state, which could be breached anyway.

But I will credit our LEO as being adults and choosing to wear what they can safely and effectively do their job wearing. I was surprised to hear the sheriff say, on an NPR interview, that the boots were a detriment because of their leather soles. I have boots with leather soles and boots with other types. I choose to wear the pair appropriate for the tasks of the day. And I, along with every single other person I know in WY and MT also keep snow boots in my rig in case I have to dig myself out or help someone else who got stuck. Often switching isn't even necessary, in my experience.

That said, we got along for years with leather-soled boots and managed to get everything done that needed doing.

[Wm Jas]

This story just made DRUDGE - the big time!