Sullivan County sheriff's deputies sporting new uniforms
BLOUNTVILLE — For the first time in more than four decades, officers with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office are no longer clad in green and tan.
On Friday the full-time, part-time and reserve officers donned the agency’s new black uniforms. SCSO Public Information Officer Leslie Earhart says Sheriff Wayne Anderson has wanted to make the change for some time, with several issues playing into the decision.
The previous uniforms — green pants with tan tops — weren’t advantageous in some tactical situations, particularly at night. But the new black uniforms should better conceal officers attempting to pursue or surround a suspect in the dark.
And since police work is not the cleanest of professions, with officers encountering a variety of fluids or mud, the old tan tops were easily stained. Now wearing black, the unsightly reminders of past calls should be a thing of the past.
Earhart said Anderson also wanted to make the change on historical merit, as the majority of the nation’s police agencies have traditionally worn dark uniforms.
Funds in the sheriff’s office budget bought three uniforms for each of the agency’s 204 full-time officers. The SCSO bought two uniforms for their nine part-time officers, and one for each of the 24 reserves.
They cost $112 each — $20 less per uniform than the former green and tans.
The sheriff’s office plans to sell the old uniforms on govdeals.com. Earhart said smaller police departments often purchase used uniforms through the government surplus auction Web site.
To comment, you must register and verify your email address by telephone.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the registered user participating in online discussions. You agree not to post comments off topic, abusive, obscene, defamatory, vulgar, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned.
Browse Premiere Local Businesses
