If you see law enforcement officers patrolling around York County in navy blue uniforms, don’t be alarmed — there isn’t a new police force in town.
While many residents and employees in York County are used to seeing York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office deputies in their “silver-tan” uniform shirts, the force will now wear a midnight-colored uniform that looks “cleaner and more professional,” according to a sheriff’s office news release.
The county’s deputies will also be safer because the dark blue uniforms add an “extra layer” of protection during nighttime operations.
All of the department’s 112 deputies will switch over to the new uniforms starting Jan. 7, the release said.
“I want all citizens and business owners to be informed of the change to prevent any confusion once we go to the new uniform shirt,” Sheriff J.D. “Danny” Diggs said. “County citizens are so familiar with the current uniform. I don’t want anyone confused about who is showing up when a call for assistance is requested.”
The last uniform change at the sheriff’s office was in 2006, when the department switched from brown shirts and tan pants to silver-tan shirts and navy blue pants.
The change this year was sparked by deputies’ requests, the release said.
Every other part of the uniform is navy blue – including pants, jackets and other accessories – so the only change will be the shirts.
The shoulder patch and badge will both remain the same, the release said.
Besides looking cleaner and more professional, the shirts will also save money, sheriff’s office spokeswoman Shelley Ward said.
The silver-tan shirts cost about $7 more each than the blue ones, and the sheriff’s office has had to wait several months in the past to receive an order of shirts. The blue shirts will cost $46.01 each for short-sleeved, and $42.23 for long-sleeved, Ward said.
The silver-tan shirts also had dark blue epaulets, which are decorative shoulder pieces, that were a special-order item for that color shirt, the release said.
The budget money saved will go toward other equipment purchases, Ward said.
