MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minneapolis police leaders are trading in their white-collared shirts for patrol officers’ blue uniforms in a show of solidarity.
The change went into effect April 30 and comes at a time of heightened public scrutiny of the nation’s police officers, The Star Tribune reported . The criticism has prompted some departments to ditch uniforms that may seem menacing and instead turn to softer looks.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo decided to reverse the previous chief’s policy meant to make top officers easily identifiable as leadership, said John Elder, a spokesman for the department.
Senior officers, such as lieutenants, commanders, inspectors and deputy chiefs, will have stripes, bars and stars on their uniforms to show their rank.
The change illustrates that no one is above accountability, Elder said.
“This chief and this executive team realizes that there should be leadership in every single person and there is accountability for every single level of this department,” Elder said. “Their assignments may be the chief’s office or the executive team, but at the end of the day, they are cops.”
There is symbolism in having the police chief dress similarly to a rookie beat officer, said Rob Allen, former deputy chief.
“My sense is that cops always prefer their bosses be the same as them,” Allen said.
Senior officers can still wear white shirts for formal events, such as funerals or promotion ceremonies, officials said.
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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com
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