Editor’s note: ‘Dispatches from the Academy’ is an ongoing series relating Review reporter Luciano Marano’s experiences as a member of the latest Bainbridge Island Police Department’s Citizen’s Police Academy class. Anyone can apply to attend the periodic program, which gives participants a hands-on look at the function and duties of the BIPD and other local, related agencies. Call 206-842-5211 or email policedept@bainbridgewa.gov for more info about the next academy.
I like a nice vest when I’m looking to step up sartorially. It’s an easy way to class up a T-shirt without the overbearing commitment of collars or, ugh, sleeves.
Cops like vests, too, albeit of a slightly different variety.
Obviously we need our police to be safe and wear protective vests, and they do — typically beneath their uniforms. You might have noticed, however, that a few BI cops are sporting new heavy duty vests over their shirts. Those are tactical load bearing vests, which can be customized with many pouches and pockets to hold everything a cop might need. They are designed to take the weight off one’s hips and instead distribute it evenly across the shoulders.
It makes a big difference, Officer Mike Tovar recently told the Citizen’s Police Academy class, as all that gear gets heavy in a hurry. Tovar had come to speak about crime scene procedures and the work of routine patrol, but the subject of uniforms and equipment became a prominent point of discussion.
The average BI cop, Tovar said, carries about 20 extra pounds when fully equipped.
Not everyone, though, is allowed to wear those handy vests. Only those officers with doctor’s notes, Tovar said, proving they have back problems can be so bedecked.
What about a young cop hoping to avoid said lumbar difficulty? Nope. Not until you’re really in pain, Junior.
Now, I’m not a cop lobbyist and I’m frankly not that concerned about anybody else’s comfort. I’m a reporter. All I really care about are the facts. However, it is a fact that should I be pulled over tomorrow I’d prefer it if that cop was not in an unnecessarily bad mood because of some physical discomfort that’s not my fault. Know what I mean? Why then do we not allow any cop who wants — or at least those whose duties permit them — to wear one of these vests to do so?
Cost, my journalistically inclined brain said. Duh.
Nay nay, said Tovar. It just doesn’t look very … nice.
City officials have received complaints that officers wearing those vests look “too militant,” he explained, not friendly enough (#sobainbridge).
I immediately agreed.
Clad in a SWAT team training jumpsuit and sporting one of those darn scary vests, Tovar himself looked like the kind of guy who might be inclined to stop me if I were, say, robbing a bank. And that doesn’t seem very nice. I might really need that money.
The grievance mirrors earlier complaints raised by some about cops wearing sunglasses. It seems at least a few of my island neighbors don’t like being unable to see where the police are looking. It stresses them out (again, #sobainbridge).
I once more agreed immediately.
When I’m conducting myself nefariously I want to know right away where the cops are looking. It’s kind of a personal rule for me.
Looking to be helpful, I further suggested Officer Tovar and company maybe think about leaving their guns at home, too. I wouldn’t want anybody thinking Bainbridge Island is the kind of place one might get shot, after all.
While you’re at it, I added, maybe lose the authoritative uniform all together? I mean, Andy Griffith practically never wore a gun. Sleeves rolled, sans tie, clad only in glorified khakis, he did just fine. And he was real friendly. You can keep the badge. Although, now that I’m thinking about it … maybe a name tag would suffice?
Some other fascinating facts from Tovar’s presentation:
1. BI cops work four 12-hour shifts, on either day or night shift with a four-month shift rotation cycle. They get four days off. Everyone takes turns alternating day and night shift, regardless of rank.
2. Late morning and early evening are the times that see the most calls.
3. DUIs are the incidents which require the largest time investment per call: about four hours each, on average.
4. BI cops may, as of now, choose whether or not they wear body cameras.
That last one’s a particularly timely topic, and Tovar said he at least very much prefers the peace of mind that wearing a camera brings. He wears a tinier model that can be mounted on his glasses, which he said provides a better viewing angle.
Cameras protect everyone involved, he said, police and public alike.
Hhhmmmm. It seems to me that the citizens so concerned about sunglasses and vests might instead start thinking about ways to get more cameras in the field regularly. I mean, honestly, you want cops to look official, right? A little imposing, even. It’s a deterrent. Here’s a thought: you have to have a doctor’s note to not wear a body camera?
It’s what a person in authority does that interests me.
Actions speak louder than words. Or, you know, vests.
Luciano Marano | The Bainbridge Island Review — Now THAT’S a friendly looking cop.
