Nashville, TN – May 27, 2016 – The North-American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) awarded their Public Safety Best Dressed Awards to police, fire and sheriff uniform programs in the United States and Canada. The NAUMD has a 38 year tradition of recognizing the best dressed departments. Awards are given by category. Judges from the fashion industry award points for originality, meeting client objectives and overall design. “A well designed uniform program is distinctive, balances authoritative with approachability, while balancing the need for comfort and functionality for the public servants who wear it,” said Neal Waters, President of the NAUMD.
The uniform provider works with the department to provide uniforms that provide the functionality and comfort required by the job. Law enforcement officers especially have added more and more gear worn on their body. The uniform must work with the extra 25 lbs. the officers typically carry. Additionally, psychological studies have indicated that the color of the uniform effects both the public’s perception of the officer and the actual behavior of the officers. As society dresses more casually, the department must decide whether to adapt likewise or retain a more traditional, formal appearance. All of these issues go into the design and specifications that define a public safety uniform program. The ones that do it the best are chosen as winners by the NAUMD.
The winners by category are:
CATEGORY PROGRAM WINNER UNIFORM PROVIDER
Less than 100 officers Shelby County Township Police Nye Uniforms
101 to 200 officers St. Cloud Police Department Keeprs
201 to 750 officers Lafourche Parrish Sheriff Fechheimer
County Agency New Castle County Police Red the Uniform Tailor
Innovation – Tactical Uniform Mexican National Police 5.11 Tactical
Innovation – Pants Pima County Sheriff, AZ 5.11 Tactical
Innovation – Shirts Insight – Wearable Equipment Solution Horace Small, a VF Imagewear brand
The North-American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors has presented awards since 1978. The purpose of the NAUMD is to help businesses in our industry to prepare for the future. You can learn more about the NAUMD and the awards program at either www.naumd.com or www.imageoftheyear.net.
