When it comes to selecting the correct type of police uniform shirt there are several different factors that will come into play. In most cases, a department will choose to have more than one approved uniform shirt to accommodate for different weather conditions or even for specific units within departments.
In any areas most departments or agencies will have at least two basic police uniform shirt options. This includes summer uniform options and winter uniform styles, but there may be several options within each seasonal category of shirts. Having a variety of approved shirts allows officers to dress to be comfortable and to suit both their requirements through the agency as well as their personal uniform requirements for the job.
When you are considering a change or if you are just looking at options, there are a few basics to keep in mind. Or course, color choices will be important, with specialized suppliers focusing on uniforms offer the best selection.
Officer Comfort
As most officers are going to be wearing vests, having shirts that are designed for the police department and accommodate for this extra layer worn under the shirt is critical.
This is why typical short or long sleeve polos and long or short sleeved shirts are not a good fit for most officers. They don’t provide the extra space needed to comfortably wear vests, resulting in shirts that bind and fit too snugly through the chest and abdominal areas.
This creates several issues for officers. When clothing is tight and binding, it is a distraction and can limit the full range of motion. In situations where officer’s lives are at stake, this is a critical consideration.
Some shirts are designed with specific office comfort in mind. Special designing around the shoulders allows for easy, comfortable and non-binding movement.
Durability
A police officer doesn’t have a typical job, so a typical type of fabric is not the right option for a police uniform shirt. Look for fabrics that are designed to reduce ripping, tearing and stress. Additionally, designed include reinforced stitching at key areas that extends the life of the shirt.
There are some shirts that are designed with what is known as a ripstop fabric. This is a polyester and cotton blend that is not only breathable and durable, but that has the ability to repel moisture, oils and other organic and inorganic materials. This is done through a factory applied Teflon coating that extends the life of the shirt even with regular washing and drying.
