Police officers, in their powder blue shirts and navy blue pants, looked more like security guards than law enforcers with arresting powers.

And supervisors, in white shirts, "stood out like a sore thumb when they were out at night," according to Old Saybrook police Sgt. Kevin Roche.

All officers now wear "Air Force" blue shirts with navy blue pants. Patrol officers have royal blue trim on their shirts; supervisors have gold trim.

Roche said the new uniforms are more tailored and breathable, and he hopes they will improve safety.

The new look has not gone unnoticed. The police department was honored last month by the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors in Las Vegas as the best dressed department for law enforcement departments with fewer than 50 members.

"There are many contributing factors to excellence in a public safety uniform program," said Richard Lerman, president and CEO of the NAUMD. "Its design, composition, durability and overall comfort all affect how well the individuals who protect us are able to remain safe while executing their sometimes dangerous responsibilities."

Today, the department will formally receive the award from officials from NAUMD and Law and Order magazine and will be featured in the publication next month. The ceremony will be held 2 p.m. at the Pasbeshauke Pavilion.

Representatives of Red the Uniform Tailor, which supplies the department's uniforms, will also be on hand.

Lerman said there were more than 150 submissions. He did not say how many were competing in the Old Saybrook division.

Lerman added that the awards have been handed out since 1977 and believes the Old Saybrook department is the first in Connecticut to receive the honor in its division.

Roche said the change of uniform also coincided with the change of command in the department when Chief Michael A. Spera took office.
Roche said it was Spera who nominated the department through Law and Order magazine.

He said the new uniforms were paid for by union and private donations. The cost to switch the uniforms was about $20,000.
"It is an honor," Roche said. "It took a lot of hard work on the part of the committee when we decided to change uniforms. It's nice to see that recognized."

Source: Theday.com, Old Saybrook, April 21, 2010