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| Look sharp! |
| By Sarah Etter, News Reporter |
| Published: 01/01/2007 |
In most careers, dressing for success is a crucial part of climbing the achievement ladder. Corrections is no different as looking sharp in uniform can make quite the impression when it comes to asserting authority. In December, the Oregon Department of Corrections cleaned up nicely when they won the Best Dressed Law Enforcement Award for Corrections Departments. Presented by the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors, the award put the ORDOC at the forefront of corrections fashion.  ORDOC Lieutenant Brian Kitto from the Powder River Correctional Facility entered the Best Dressed contest after reading an advertisement in an issue of Law & Order magazine. Once he filled out all of the necessary paperwork and snapped some pictures of officers dressed to the nines, Kitto stamped and mailed his submission and hoped for the best. “It was so exciting to win this. It is so nice to have this recognition,” he says. “In my experience, law enforcement is usually more visible than corrections. The community doesn't always know what we look like when we go to work. We're almost the invisible profession in some cases. This award was such a great way to pay recognition to our staff, past, present and future. We're so proud of this.” With fresh-pressed dark khaki shirts, black ties, black pants and shining badges, 4,000 ORDOC employees go to work each week looking dapper, and as a result were selected out from a slew of 232 entrants. Kitto is still receiving emails from exhilarated officers who are proud to be dressed so sharply each day. “Without question, our uniforms represent corrections pride,” Kitto says. “I still polish my shoes and press my shirt every single day. This is definitely a camaraderie issue. We all wear the same uniform and strive to be the best. This is what professionalism is all about. My co-workers are just as proud as I am to have won this.” According to Roger Heldman, Vice President of NAUMD and Co-Owner of Blumenthal Uniform Company, the ORDOC exemplifies excellence in looking smart on the clock. “A correctional officer who looks sharp feels sharp and they are more apt to perform well. Conversely, someone who isn't dressed well is definitely likely to feel less professional and also to be perceived as less professional,” he explains. “Uniforms are just as important a piece of equipment as everything else on a CO. A sharp uniform sends that message of authority. We chose Oregon because they embodied that philosophy.”  The corrections uniform has certainly evolved over the years. Kitto says the ORDOC transitioned from a traditional CO uniform with a blouse, long jacket and visor cap to more of an everyday suit-and-tie outfit in the late 80s. Oregon uses a high quality polyrayon-blend fabric for their uniform shirts, which makes them last longer and maintains a polished look after ironing. Heldman says that CO uniforms are constantly changing. Many DOCs were outfitting their COs in battle dress uniforms, or BDUs, which consist of cargo-style pants and a thin T-shirt. BDUs were once reserved for emergency situations like inmate disturbances, but have now become everyday garb. “The BDU has been a trend across the country. Many DOCs allow their officers to wear BDUs daily. But we're starting to see the pendulum swing back this year,” Heldman explains. “We're seeing corrections departments say No, we want our officers to look more professional.' They are starting to reserve the BDUs for emergencies again.” Another source of pride and history lies in each agency's badge. While it is common to wear a DOC emblem, each state, city and county agency has specialized insignias. “There are literally hundreds of badge designs,” Heldman adds. “Each department wants their own distinct look so every DOC has a unique seal. Those badges mean something special to each department, but the design usually centers on important aspects of the state.” Badges have also changed to fit the new perception of COs. Many states changed their badges to read “Corrections Officer” rather than “State Prison Guard”. The state seal is usually prominent on each badge, and many retired COs have turned to collecting the badges and patches across state lines as a hobby. Although the history behind the uniforms and badges may vary from state to state, one thing remains clear, looking sharp commands the respect that COs deserve and presents an image of authority and job know-how. Email us a picture of your badge and we'll post it on our site! And don't forget to submit your corrections agency for the 2007 Best Dressed Award! |
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