Comments on: Why do so many county sheriffs dress like they are straight from the "old west"?

By: Vindicaire

Vindicaire — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:13:59 +0000

Where do you live? All deputies that work here wear the same uniform that I do. The exact same that city police do, just brown and tan.
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By: lil southern girl

lil southern girl — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:59:59 +0000

I guess it depends on where you are. It's not like that where I am. Here, the county sheriff's department employees for all the counties closest to me wear uniforms pretty similar to the various uniforms worn by the city cops in all the cities close to me. And none of them look like the Old West.
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By: Jason W

Jason W — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:10:59 +0000

Snobalz is not quite correct about IQ. First, most departments do not test IQ. But those that do generally select for IQ’s around average. People with abnormally low IQ are undesirable for obvious reasons. However, people with unusaully high intelligence are also screened out. For example, the New York State mental abilties test tends to select those with a score that translates to about 104 on the Binet IQ scale. (100 is the population average)

The logic, apparently, is that due to the highly routine nature of policework, high intelligence candidates may rapidly become bored and result in loss of money spent in equipment/training.
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For example: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A06E2DB143DF93AA3575AC0A96F958260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fD%2fDiscrimination

By: snobalz

snobalz — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:55:59 +0000

How a sheriff dresses is partly influenced by his/her own background but more heavily influenced by the community standards. In most areas, the position is an elected position. The candidate dresses to win votes. If the public feels comfortable with a cowboy dressing, Old West style sheriff then the candidate gets elected.
How do the deputies dress? Again, the uniform is partly influenced by community standards, partly by personal choice.

no239ok appears to speak from a lack of knowledge. Statistically, in must jurisdictions, law enforcement personnel have higher IQ’s then the general public. Whereas it is not a true profession yet because college degrees are not required by all agencies, many agencies do require a degree. Many others pay officers to continue education. All states have on going required training programs. After all, officers must be smarter than the crooks they apprehend or there would be no arrests.

Thanks Jason for supporting me. Last time I checked 104 is higher than 100.
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By: no239ok

no239ok — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:09:59 +0000

law enforcement has always attracted the less able and intellectually limited people. they are very good people, but not very bright.

they feel that they can dress silly like the old west, in their mind they present a realistic representation of what they perceive the law to be

try to humor them and dont anger them

these are challenged people……….dont try
to change them

remember, they are doing their best..

if looking like deputy dawg is their idea of modern law enforcement…..so be it

remember……its the honesty and integrity and courage of the person that wears the outfit……..

if they are good people….then they can dress anyway they want

Ill bet the people that ripped off Enron and the spies caught in the FBI……were real snappy dressers, nice suits and uniforms

so what your issue with hillbillies anyway ???

is the enlisted man uniform in the US Navy also too old fashioned for you ????

I think your a narrow minded punk

I hope you grow up and realize they is more to life….than talking about how people look………..
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By: VermilionPhoenix

VermilionPhoenix — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:02:59 +0000

Maybe they felt like it? For the most part the Sheriff can dress how they want, as long as it's appropriate and tidy/official looking, it's just the deputies that are required to wear the uniforms.
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By: coragryph

coragryph — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:52:59 +0000

Because that’s the uniform policy defined by their county.

Some of it is practical — books are good in rough environments; leather is good defense in an accident or against an unruly suspect, as well as being durable. The hat is probably defined by county rules — and may be a function of tradition.

The belt buckle is probably a personal choice.
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By: .. .this can't be good

.. .this can't be good — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:35:59 +0000

This is a problem where I live. They literally have a club they call Cowboys! And yeah, people do make fun of them. I don't know why. You are right, it would help the public image if they dressed like a professional.
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