I need some opinions on this topic. I am considering standardizing on uniforms for myself and my investigators when conducting services in the field such as seizures, etc. All of us my company are former FBI and State Police. I was considering following something very similar to the Massachusetts State Police K-9 Unit. Let me out line what the uniform would include
Black Special Duty Cargo Pants
Black Combat Boots
A duty built with pockets and holsters for a rechargeable Stinger Flashlight, Evidence Handling Gloves, Small Toolkit, pocket for holding live response thumb drives, and similar gear.
Along with the fly kits they would already have.
The shirt would be a black Special Duty button up shirt with the company logo embroidered on a shoulder patch plus possibly a shield with the stating Computer Forensic Inevstigator.
-Short Sleeve in the summer
_long sleeve plus a matching coat in the winter.
Does this sound feasible or a little over board.
I am trying to project professionalism and functionality at the same time. I find business casual clothes may get unmanageable in the field.
Input would be greatly appreciated.
Best
Tom
I would caution you against making them look too much like cops. I'm sure you know about off duty encounters. In the boots, 511 type pants, belt with all that stuff,and a shirt with a shield your employee will look like a police officer. If I'm robbing a bank your employee is going to be first on my list.
If you think they need some sort of shield or professional looking credentials why not give them a wallet they can be carried in or something to be worn around their necks when appropriate?
How about a polo type shirt with your company in a non shield format?
Dress it down and don't make yourself a target.
Ed,
Thank you for your response. That is a great idea about replacing the badge with a wallet on a neck lanyard. Is the rest of the uniform still too much of a target? I can always change it up a bit to reduce the chances of being mistaken for Police Officer. Coming from a law enforcement background I wanted to keep things standard and very functional for my investigators. Having the duty belt with some tools and evidence gloves readily accessible along with a compact flash light seemed to work.
What else should be changed?
Tom
I guess if you outfit them too well they might look like the cable repair guy ?
I'm surely no expert on uniforms, but IF I were going to issue a belt I would ask that they keep it in their car until needed and then place it back in the car when finished. How about purchasing similar tool boxes at Wal-Mart or Home Depot and coming up with a list of standard equipment for each of them. You could get ones that they could carry or ones that roll?
I modified my earlier post so you may not have seen my comment…How about a polo type shirt, company logo in a non shield format?
That is very true. I dont want them looking like cable repair men. I will take your advice and issue nice polo shirts with the company logo in it's standard form and give them cargo pants with durable dress shoes. Nothing will go n their belts. If they need something then they just get it out of the kits they have with them in their trucks.
Thanks again for all of your help.
Tom
DP,
Don't run off to the store just yet. Like I said I'm no expert. You may want to get some other opinions as well.
Best of luck,
Where will your guys be doing seizures, etc.? If your clients are businesses, many want to keep things low-key. I understand the need for 511's and Polo's when you are at a typical search warrant execution at a typical filthy residence, but is this really need in what you are doing now?
Personally, if I were a civilian examiner or ran a civilian company, I would go with business suits.
I'm with you Mike.
You're either LE or you aren't LE. Trying to dress like you are LE is ridiculous. If I hired you as an examiner on a job and you showed up looking like an army, I'd either ask that you go home and change into business clothing, or I'd say your services are not needed. Incredible disruption at the workplace.
Where will your guys be doing seizures, etc.? If your clients are businesses, many want to keep things low-key. I understand the need for 511's and Polo's when you are at a typical search warrant execution at a typical filthy residence, but is this really need in what you are doing now?
Personally, if I were a civilian examiner or ran a civilian company, I would go with business suits.
Greetings,
I personally wear khaki 5.11's, dress lace up boots, a normal dress belt, and a dress shirt. I can crawl under desks or show up in a board room and be accepted, and comfortable, in either environment.
I shy away from carrying anything that looks like a shield, even though I am entitled to carry one for my volunteer work. As someone noted, you're either a cop, or not. I'd worry less about being shot and more about how a custodian will react to your questions about their data if they think you're a cop.
Looking like a cop is just way too much of a mixed message.
-David
You would think black is a good choice, but crawl under a desk just once and you are dusty black. Khaki hides a lot more dirt.
Also if you want any kind of cooperation, going for the intimidating look is going to cause just the opposite reaction.