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1. chriss+(OP)[view] [source] 2020-06-02 19:58:26
It's be great if the police in the US had a more consistent uniform. If I go from one town to another in the US the police could look completely different. How are you supposed to be able to tell a police officer from a private security guard there?
replies(4): >>Lehere+Q8 >>mstade+2f >>112358+4l >>chippe+Ws
2. Lehere+Q8[view] [source] 2020-06-02 20:53:50
>>chriss+(OP)
Aren't a lot of private security guards just off duty officers?
replies(1): >>ta1771+Qz
3. mstade+2f[view] [source] 2020-06-02 21:32:28
>>chriss+(OP)
I agree, and especially the lack of consistency in vehicle dressing is annoying as hell. I was driving down the high way and this so-and-so behind me was right up my tail, and I didn’t even realize it was a cop before they turned on the party lights to signal me to move out of the way.
4. 112358+4l[view] [source] 2020-06-02 22:06:50
>>chriss+(OP)
They generally do have consistent uniforms (dark, gray and tan solids with a badge and utility belt.) The vehicle wraps vary more.
replies(1): >>chriss+6p
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5. chriss+6p[view] [source] [discussion] 2020-06-02 22:28:20
>>112358+4l
Not sure if you're being sarcastic?

If not do a Google image search for 'american police officer' - almost every image has a different uniform colour, cut, insignia in it.

Dark blue, light blue, white, brown, black, grey, purple, yellow, green. It's every colour under the sun!

Two police officers:

https://static.trendscatchers.io/uploads/2019/01/bear34-uk.j...

https://writersforensicsblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/chi...

I think there's almost literally nothing consistent between these two uniforms (badge?)

> with a badge and utility belt

That's also what mall security guards wear in the US though.

replies(1): >>112358+8s
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6. 112358+8s[view] [source] [discussion] 2020-06-02 22:44:36
>>chriss+6p
The question whether I’m being sarcastic is unfortunate. Please assume good faith.

I’ll give you the green. That is unusual. It might be fair to add green to the list for some state trooper uniforms and park police uniforms.

I apologize if you’ve spent significant time in the US. I’m assuming you haven’t if significant variation in police uniform seems like it would commonly come up. The colors I mentioned are typical for city, county and state police. There are some variations, e.g., I said dark which could be black or a dark blue. To most people, the difference does not cause them to read the situation differently. When I review the uniforms of the 40-50 policing bodies with which I’m most familiar, I don’t see much deviation.

Security guards do try to mimic police uniforms as much as they can get away with, and I think that is dangerous. At minimum they should be forbidden from wearing a badge that looks like a police badge, and they should not be allowed to wear a hat that looks like a police hat. A security guard with a baseball hat, no badge, and their firm printed on their uniform is not easily mistaken for police.

replies(1): >>anonca+5b1
7. chippe+Ws[view] [source] 2020-06-02 22:49:48
>>chriss+(OP)
Private security guards can't use the word police on their uniforms. I looked it up a while ago (I asked the exact same question you did) - IIRC the rule is that you are only allowed to use it if you aren't issuing any orders and there isn't an unrelated reason for people to think you are an official officer. If you see the word police they are either someone pretending to be an officer (and must follow the rule I just wrote) or a real police officer.

In many cities (including mine, which has a lot of private security) the word POLICE is written in all caps and large letters on the back and front of their shirts. It's hard to make the distinction until you see them once, then it's pretty clear

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8. ta1771+Qz[view] [source] [discussion] 2020-06-02 23:41:29
>>Lehere+Q8
Correct, and in that case, they regularly wear POLICE insignia
replies(1): >>beart+BH
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9. beart+BH[view] [source] [discussion] 2020-06-03 00:40:00
>>ta1771+Qz
And in some places continue to act with full police authority.
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10. anonca+5b1[view] [source] [discussion] 2020-06-03 05:36:06
>>112358+8s
you are inventing standards out of whole cloth that simply aren't true, i'm very puzzled by this comment
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