The Best Dressed Public Safety Award® department competition is one of the association’s oldest recognition programs; its roots date back to the late ’70s. From well-known departments to agencies in tiny towns, many have earned a best-dressed nod.

The Best Dressed Public Safety Award®  is open to all public safety departments across North America. Participants must submit a completed entry form, as well as photographs depicting the various uniforms in their program. An independent panel of experts reviews each department’s professional appearance and uniform specifications to determine whether the uniform is appropriate for the type of work being performed. All winning departments and their suppliers receive award plaques

This year, four departments made the best dressed list, representing three NAUMD suppliers. Here’s a quick look at each:

Best Private Security Company

Best Crowd Management – Unitex Direct, Supplier: This contract staffing business allows each stadium to choose from a color palette of 15, an unusual practice for management companies. Items in the program include shirts, zippered and hooded jackets and cold weather parkas.

Color is what distinguishes this program. Will you find the standard black, blue and gray apparel typical of stadium wear here? Sure, but you’ll also come across neon yellow, orange, gold, royal, red, Kelly Green, Columbia Blue, white, Hunter Green, Process Blue, Panther Blue and stone. Job functions are as varied as the color palette, and include security, event staff, managers, fit team, guest services, security response and ushers.

Best Dressed Department, 100-500 Officers

Montana Highway Patrol – Spiewak, Supplier: Montana has extreme weather conditions, ranging from very cold winters, hot summers, and everything in between. The Spiewak uniform program provides options that meets the demands of these various weather conditions while maintaining a consistent and professional appearance. There are multiple options available to all troopers, with the Class A uniform being the foundation of the program. A Class B mimics the appearance of the Class A but includes additional features for comfort and performance. Examples include trousers with hidden internal cargo pockets for added functionality, a long sleeve shirt made from a lighter fabric, and a short sleeve version that incorporates mesh sides for greater comfort and range of motion.

Montana Highway Patrol Troopers do not have easy access to professional cleaning facilities. As such the program includes easy home laundry options that do not compromise quality or appearance.

Best Dressed Department, Under 100 Officers

Naugatuck Police Department, New England Uniform: The Naugatuck PD’s street, or patrol, uniform is Blauer Street Gear. It’s a navy rip-stop with all patches, badges, name tags, and rank sewn on. Ball caps are the hat worn with this uniform, or beanies in winter. Short sleeves or long sleeves as dictated by policy for the seasons. Several jacket options are also included. .

The move to sewn-on badges, or soft uniforms, was a move to get away from a traditional uniform. It is also what’s driving other changes that are currently under consideration. Any revisions that may affect the ease with which the public can identify an officer must be carefully weighed before finalized.

Best Dressed Department, Over 500 Officers

Florida Highway Patrol, Spiewak: Florida Highway Patrol has 1,946 uniformed personnel providing public safety services throughout the state of Florida. It is the primary law enforcement agency charged with investigating traffic crashes and criminal laws on Florida’s highways.

While the primary uniform is a Class A style garment, this uniform has been redesigned with new features that allow better functionality and comfort without compromising appearance. These Class A garments combined with newly developed Spiewak Systems Outerwear that incorporates ANSI- compliant components provide enhanced officer safety.

Think your customers are best-dressed worthy? It’s not too early to be thinking about the 2022 competition. Entry materials will be available in the coming months. Look for updates in The Pulse and on the web at www.naumd.com .