Just in time for summer’s heat, the Williamsburg Police Department started wearing its new grey uniforms this past week.
“Keeping cool counts for a lot,” Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson said. “When it hits 90, 95 degrees you sweat a lot with all the under armor and all the gear and stuff. Every little bit that helps on the coolness is taken under consideration.”
Jackson said the new uniform’s lighter color and fabric will be much cooler in the summer when compared to the department’s old uniforms — which were a navy blue.
But comfort for officers is not the only upside to the new uniforms — they are also saving the city $1,000.
Each year, Jackson said the city has allotted money for two uniforms for each of its officers. Last year, the old blue uniforms cost the city $5,000 total. After switching uniform suppliers, Jackson said the department got the grey uniforms for $4,000 and each officer will get three uniforms instead of two.
