ELPD turn to 1940s design for new duds

By Kate Jacobson | Originally Published: 01/12/10 10:06pm |Modified: 01/12/10 10:06pm | No comments

A new year marks a new look for the East Lansing Police Department.

Effective Jan. 1, officers with the department began sporting new uniforms, trading the usual light blue outfits for new dark blue slacks and shirts made from microfibers.

Capt. Tom Johnstone said the department made the switch to replace an outdated uniform for a more cost effective and comfortable alternative.

The cost of the uniforms was covered by a federal technology grant.

“Now we have uniforms 10 times more comfortable than anything we’ve ever worn,” Johnstone said.

The uniforms, which have had the same design since the 1950s. They also are made with a waterproof microfiber material, are more durable and come with a fleece insert to make the winter months a little warmer, Johnstone said.

Another new feature includes the switch from the current police patch to a design made in the 1940s, which represents the department’s commitment to motor safety, Johnstone said.

The patch originally was created by the police chief’s wife in the 1940s, and with the switch from the light to dark blue, Johnstone said the department tweaked the patch to better suit the darker color.

“We retroed back to our original design,” he said.

Johnstone said the cost for replacing new uniforms is significantly less than replacing the old ones. He said replacing one pair of pants for the old uniform was more than $100. With the new design, a replacement would only cost $50.

Dept. Chief Juli Liebler said because of the microfiber technology, uniforms were covered by the grant. Of the about $91,000 received, the portion used for uniforms was $49,500, she said.

Without the funding, it would’ve been hard for the department to get the
new uniforms, Johnstone said.

Undecided freshman Laurie Asava said she doesn’t think changing the uniform will make it harder to distinguish police officers on the street, but the darker blue might be harder to spot than the signature french blue shirts and pants.

“I would say the old light blue uniforms would be more distinguishable,” she said. “Lighter colors are easier to spot.”