Award Winning Photos Taken By Captain Mike Jones

You won't see these officers handing out citations for improper dress;
you will see them setting good examples

New York, NY (August 31, 2005) - The Spartanburg County Detention Facility has emerged a champion in this years NAUMD’s 28th annual Best Dressed Law Enforcement Competition. Spartanburg County Detention Facility now holds the title of "2005 The Best Dressed Law Enforcement Department - Specialized Agency". The National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) sponsors this awards program, now in its 28th year of presenting awards to the Best-Dressed Law Enforcement Departments across the United States.

Over the years, the law enforcement officers’ uniform has come to represent many things for the officer and the public who depend on their community police force. For the officer who puts on a uniform everyday, they are the first "recognized" safe person for most children, and it is their first line of defense against those who challenge authority and break the law. It is a unique combination of duties for any one article of clothing. The best-dressed law enforcement officers’ uniform projects an image of respect, of authority, and of constant professionalism. As a result, even as uniform designs change due to function, fabrics, and job factors, many could say a uniform is timeless, especially those who depend on it most, the everyday officer.

It is important for detention officers to have a strong "First Line of Defense" appearance. For Spartanburg County Detention officers, it is visibly stated in their uniforms, thus providing a feel of order and security. Spartanburg County Detention Facility’s winning uniform look starts at the top with a Stratton campaign hat and that powerful impression carries through the officer’s whole uniform. Detention officer greets each inmate with a crisp uniform of dark navy blue trousers are partnered with a French blue shirt. This everyday uniform only gets better with a very impressive dress uniform for the department. The dress uniform starts with an "Ike Jacket" done in dark navy with gold buttons, and navy epaulets. The jacket is worn with dark navy trousers with a 1-inch side stripe stitched into the side seam. A long sleeved French blue shirt with a dark navy tie is worn underneath. The jacket also displays the department’s patch and the sheriff’s seven-point star badge.

Director Larry Powers expressed the thoughts of many of the winning chiefs, in this statement. "As a law enforcement agency, it is important to present and maintain a professional appearance. I believe it is always important how officers present themselves. (W)hether an officer works the street; a courtroom; or inside the jail, his/her appearance; demeanor; and actions determine how he/she will be treated. (W)e all want to see those who represent order and security in our communities to look and dress in a manner that gives us a feeling of both confidence and comfort in their ability to protect us. An officer who looks and carries him/herself in such a manner has less trouble. Appearance counts."

The Best Dressed Law Enforcement Competition is open to all law enforcement agencies in the United States. Departments are eligible to compete in this prestigious competition by submitting applications in one of five categories. Entrants are judged on their combinations of overall appearance, neatness, projection of authority, practicality for designated functions, and adherence to uniform regulations. The purpose of the competition is to recognize and honor departments who have developed superior uniform standards and programs.

This year’s judges were Patrick De Mare, retired manager, New York Custom and Uniform Tailors Div. of Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union, Michael T. Filippello, Chief of Police, Parsippany, NJ Police Department, and Pete Kingwill, Law & Order Magazine. The top winners receive handsome plaques and certificates, while certificates are given to the outstanding achievement and honorable mention winners.