COVE

This image is of some of the first uniforms of the New York Police Department. The uniforms were formal and authoritative-looking, and they have a lot of similarities with the police uniforms we see today. The uniforms had badges for identification, caps, were button up, and they were dark blue. This use of the color blue stems largely from the influence of the London Metropolitan Police Department which also used blue uniforms, and the color of the uniforms was also influenced by the color of the military uniforms of the time which were blue.  The uniforms were immaculate as well. The perfect line of the buttons, the shiny badges, the straight paints: they all gave a greater sense of authority and professionalism. This attention to detail regarding the uniform is something that was also influenced by the military and continues to this day. This is an important asesthetic for the police to have given the importance for the police to come across as professional, credible, and authoritative. 

The choice of the color blue is more significant than it may at first appear. In American culture, darker colored-clothing is associated with more authority, and authority is obviously an important aspect of a police force. It is important for the effectiveness of a police department that the public perceives the police as authoritative. In addition, the color blue has been found to be a comforting color that evokes a sense of security in people. This plays into the perceived role of the police as protectors, and it is important for the police to be seen as a security for the public rather than hostiles of the public. 

Since these original police uniforms, there have been some departments and units with more major changes than others. Some officers are more heavily armed, some wear darker clothing, and some have significantly more armor. These aspects of an officer’s uniform affect the perception of the public. The closer the police become to the military in their uniform and armament, the more the public will associate the police with a military, combative force rather than a protective security force.

References:

Anderson, P. (2020, July 04). The Roots and Perception of Police Uniforms. Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://putthison.com/the-roots-and-perception-of-police-uniforms/

Mendekson, D. (2017, September 01). Uniform Color Theory. Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2017/09/uniform-color-theory/

[New York City Metropolitan police in uniform, drawn July 1871]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-08-18/a-history-of-police-uniforms-and-why-they-matter