Changing LE Norms

[Linebackerll]

Hats, dress shoes, coats and ties...we've drifted away? More like we evolved to functionality. The Army used to where nonfunctional, extremly uncomfortable, and heavily starched cotton fatigues along with shiny black paratropper boots (just as nonfunctional). They have now worked through several iterations of Battle Dress along with a half a dozen camouflage patterns to fit specific situations. No more shiny black boots are to be seen. I doubt there is a soldier out there who wishes the Army would replace what they wear now with what was worn "back in the day."

We don't wear low quarter dress shoes because we need the protection of boots when running through the bushes. Coats and ties are a relic of colder town police forces. Bravo blazed the trail getting rid of this costume wearing light weight 5-11 pants and breathable polos with boots...until Command noticed and put an end to this sensible idea...probably because it wasn't their idea. Command hasn't wandered through Lehigh crossing canals lately in a coat and tie while investigating a scene.

And hats? What is the fixation with hats? Should we wear those absurd campaign hats at domestic disturbances and during K-9 tracks?

Paramilitary? Police work requires independent operators who can handle a multitude of stressful situations almost always alone. Except for SWAT, we rarely deploy in any kind of military fashion. Many in this profession have never worn a military uniform or commanded in the military but spend a lot of time obsessing about the sacred "chain of command" and get upset when questions get asked by these officers after odd orders are issued. Questions from experienced operators are seen as insubordinate and threatening. This is not a military mission and treating police officers like infantrymen is not useful or approriate.

Drift? No, I think we just get better as the years go by...but never as fast as many of us would like.

...until Command noticed and put an end to this sensible idea...probably because it wasn't their idea. Command hasn't wandered through Lehigh crossing canals lately in a coat and tie while investigating a scene.

On the money! Because they lack management training, our command staff fears subordinates with skills and potential. Unless they are far enough behind to not pose a threat. Good ideas executed without their approval scare them because they fear becoming irrelevant. In the Navy, we were taught to ensure our subordinates could do our jobs as well as there own and that we could do our supervisors job. I think they call that mentorship.

Many in this profession have never worn a military uniform or commanded in the military but spend a lot of time obsessing about the sacred "chain of command" and get upset when questions get asked by these officers after odd orders are issued. Questions from experienced operators are seen as insubordinate and threatening.

In the military, it is ok to question your orders as long as you abide by the final decision once it is made.