Police uniforms in the United States

Despite the wide variety of uniforms used by United States police departments, virtually all incorporate the use of metallic badges as a means of primary identification. Unlike in the United Kingdom, where officers both in and out of uniform carry - but do not publicly display - paper or plastic warrant cards, US police badges are the official symbol of office and are prominently worn over the left chest of the uniform (or, in the case of plainclothes officers, displayed from a concealed badge carrier when necessary to establish authority). In Virginia, for instance, police only have the power to make arrests when "in uniform, or displaying a badge of office."[7]

Badges are typically engraved with a unique identification number matched to the officer to whom it is issued. Some departments - most notably the New York City Police Department (NYPD) - traditionally pass individual badges through several generations of police so that current officers can establish a symbolic connection with the retired and deceased officers to whom their badge had previously been issued. In the case of the NYPD, officers who misplace their badge are docked five days of vacation time and many officers wear replica badges to avoid losing their issued badge (though the practice is officially discouraged).[8]

Federal law prohibits the sale or purchase of counterfeit police badges[9] and many states have laws regulating the wearing of metallic badges by persons other than law enforcement. Florida, for instance, prohibits unauthorized persons from wearing or displaying badges if their wear or display would be likely to deceive someone. New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and New Jersey, meanwhile, allow private security guards to wear badges provided they are in the shape of a square and not the more traditional shield or star shape used by police.

Badges are usually constructed out of metal with an enamel finish in either a gold and/or silver. As a general rule, the badges issued by county sheriff's offices take the form of a five, six, or seven-pointed star, while municipal police have shield-like designs. Following the death of a police officer, other officers will typically cover their badges with a black mourning band. Mourning bands can also be seen worn on May 15, "National Peace Officers Memorial Day."[10]

Most police uniforms feature shoulder sleeve insignia in the form of cloth patches embroidered with the agency's name, logo or a heraldic device. These patches are displayed either on both shoulders, or one.

Individual municipal and county law enforcement agencies in the United States are typically responsible for designing their own uniforms, often with minimal state regulation. As a result, there is no universal form or pattern for American police uniforms.

However, in general, most large police departments provide officers with two types of uniforms for wear, tactical (also called "Class B"), and traditional (or "Class A"). Tactical uniforms - similar in material and cut to the U.S. Army's former battle dress uniform - are generally worn while on patrol, or performing physically intense duties, while traditional-style uniforms are more often used for station assignments, high-profile events, and ceremonial functions.[11] In addition to these two basic uniform types, a variety of specialized clothing may be deployed as necessary, including jumpsuits (sometimes called "Class C") and - in the case of police pipe bands - highland dress. Many police departments restrict the use of tactical uniforms to tactical units, such as SWAT teams, or for special assignments, such as riot control, in order to present a less militarized appearance in day-to-day operations. Municipal police uniforms are typically colored in blue or black, while uniforms worn by sheriff's deputies are more often green, brown, or khaki. Unlike British police, American law enforcement agencies do not usually include white-colored apparel, such as shirts, in their uniforms due to the fact white reflects in the dark and can make police officers more prominent targets for armed criminals during building searches or standoffs.[12] There are, however, many exceptions to this general rule; the Miami Police Department wears dark blue, bike division will wear white they may also wear polo shirts on some occasions, and senior officers in the New York City Police Department, Baltimore Police Department, Philadelphia Police Department, and Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department wear uniforms that also feature white shirts.

Unlike police in some Commonwealth nations, US police forces subsequently abandoned the custodian helmet by the early 20th century they had incorporated with their uniforms. Today, municipal police forces typically wear peaked hats or, in tactical uniforms, baseball caps. County sheriff's offices often issues their deputies with campaign hats or Stetsons for cover. Some departments permit the usage of the hijab for female Muslim police officers.[13]

Several United States police forces are known for unique uniform items not commonly used by other departments.

• Police uniforms in Chicago and Pittsburgh feature peaked hats incorporating the Sillitoe tartan checkerboard design, similar to taxicab decor.
• The Washington State Patrol and New Mexico State Police wear bow ties.
• Troopers of the Texas Highway Patrol wear cowboy hats as part of their duty and dress uniforms and cowboy boots as part of their dress uniform.
• The Honolulu Police Department uses Kukui nut medallions on their epaulets for the ranks of Lieutenant through Major.
• Many police departments replace their standard collared shirts and neckties with an ascot when detachments are organized as part of a funeral detail or color guard. Fourragère and aiguillettes may also be worn.