In a country where most police investigators wear suits and ties, FLINT police are now following the British lead by requiring investigators to wear clothing that says who they are wherever they go. Statewide, the 125 detectives employed by the Michigan State Police may wear a uniform or suit. Police detectives, for example, do not wear uniforms, but have some sort of dress code, such as suits.
Many detectives wear suits because they are associated with professional organizations, and this allows them to present an acceptable level of professionalism. However, investigators rarely wear a suit while working in the field, because it immediately signals that they are a detective, but secrecy is required.
Because there are different types of investigators, they will wear different clothes to match their job. The detective has different operational roles, but there are also many similarities, even if the detectives do not wear a uniform. Heartless detectives begin their careers by graduating from the police academy and working their way up to the rank of detective.
Detectives Hailed from a Police Background
Traditionally, the only way to become a detective was to have uniform police experience. If you want to use your detective skills for real crime fighting, police detective career is the best choice for you. This is an excellent career for people with meticulous attention to detail, a strong ethical compass2, and patience and perseverance in investigating criminal cases that can move slowly.
The duties of a detective are certainly different from those of a patrolman, but when you are in the field, you are surrounded by the same criminals and you are exposed to the same risks. Some investigators may forego important officer safety practices and mindsets they developed while on patrol because they have become convinced that their work environment as a detective is less risky.
In fact, in many situations, detectives don’t want the entire neighborhood to know that the police are spying. For undercover assignments, investigators wear costumes that harmonize with those of other residents of the area, so they can operate freely without arousing suspicion.
Many Investigators Forego the Use of a Uniform
Investigators and part of the administrative staff do not wear uniforms because their official duties do not require it. Will the detective work off-duty before or after the shift as most off-duty work requires a traditional uniform.
Some departmental directives stipulate that a lone detective may wear a traditional police uniform with a belt (and vest), suit/work clothes, or a soft uniform consisting of 5-11 style khaki and a polo shirt with an embroidered and distinctive name. Another consideration is whether the coroner will have to serve warrants, crawl under cars, in the attics of houses, or dig through garbage cans, a soft form is preferred due to comfort and durability.
For forensic investigators who must go to the crime scene, they will wear a grey polo shirt with name/department embroidered on it; navy blue BDU trousers; black watch strap with radio, key clip, flashlight and extra storage bag ; Black waterproof boots; Baseball cap (weather dependent). Other industries are open to more casual and cross-dressing themes, and detectives (not undercover) usually stick to clothing.
Police Departments Offer Multiple Uniform Types
Generally, most major police departments provide officers with two types of uniforms: tactical (also referred to as “Class B”) and traditional (or “Class A”). Unlike the British police, American law enforcement generally do not include white clothing such as shirts in their uniforms, as white reflects in the dark and can make police officers more important targets for armed criminals during searches or confrontations in buildings.
Unlike the UK, where uniformed and ununiformed officers wear but do not flaunt paper or plastic warrants, US police badges are the official symbol of the office and are worn prominently on the left side of the uniform (or, in the case of plainclothes officers, displayed in a concealed badge holder when necessary to validate credentials). Police officers wear crime deterrence uniforms, providing a conspicuous presence while on patrol so that they can be easily identified by non-cops or their colleagues seeking help, as well as being quickly identified at a crime scene to facilitate coordination.
In Virginia, for example, police can only make arrests if they are “wearing a uniform or displaying an official badge.” Taking off your uniform is one of the perks of being a detective, but a polo shirt, jacket, and tie won’t stop bullets or bladed weapons.
Investigators May Need to Change Attire Quickly
I know that clothes can be accidentally ruined in any other free time, but if you decide to wear them to work, and then something happens, you will somehow feel worse. Investigators should always wear lace-up shoes, not moccasins, which can easily slip off just when you need them, and lace-up shoes.
In the transition from “bag” to “softwear,” some investigators may be tempted to leave behind more than just Sam Brown’s woolen uniform and heavy equipment. Some Flint investigators have found that their uniforms no longer fit, while others say moving forward makes their crime-solving efforts much more difficult.
Uniformed detectives may be a rarity in America—just watch prime-time TV—but Flint’s approach is similar to that used in Britain. Although plainclothes officers would continue to work as detectives, they would have to wear the same clothes as duty officers. The early New York police were little more than organized private gangs, while the early London police were unable to investigate crimes for fear that the UK would become a police state. Basically, the only difference between pubs and female detectives in clothing is that the men wear ties, while the women don’t.
