| My Agency switched from a standard Light Blue Shirt/Dark Blue Pants to a Tactical Uniform in what is known as "LAPD Blue". This shade of blue is dark to the point that it looks black, even when next to the Navy Blue Tactical Uniform of another Department that we work closley with.
The problem is, that in the few months since the switch, many of the uniforms are quickly fading to a Navy Blue overall, and along pocket flaps and the like, they're fading towards a much lighter shade of blue.
Here is where we really need to define "Tactical", since it's one of those words manufacturers tend to use more for the public than anything else. True Tactical uniforms are made for combat, and generally fall along the lines of US BDU styling, sometimes with an extra bell or whistle (like the spare mag pocket sewn on the outside of the cargo pocket on my right leg). Most agency's don't wear Tactical Uniforms on a daily basis. There are exceptions, mine is one. Most of the time you'll only see specialized Officers such as K-9, SWAT, HRT and the like wearing Tactical Uniforms.
As for quality, its all about how much money your agency has to spend. Police uniforms pretty much run from KMart quality to Saville Row (I may be exagerating a bit, but you get the point). My Agency is toward the bottom, hence the already mentioned uninspiring quality. |