uniform etiquite

[T.COTE]

I have a question about when it is ok to wear your uniform and when it is not.

for example, Is it wrong to wear your uniform to another job interview. Would their be any benefits to wearing your uniform or should you go with the suit?

Our department doesn't have "dress uniforms" just the one patrol uniform.

Any feed back would be appreciated.


T.COTE

[marcusinmb]

Interesting question...you're already a LEO and you're applying to another dept I assume?

My personal opinion, whether you're a cop already or not, is you can't go wrong with the suit. You won't impress them with your present uniform....they already know you're a cop. Besides, with the lack of a dress uniform, your patrol uniform is not likely formal enough to wear at an interview in my mind. You may be shooting yourself in the foot if you wear it.

Any other comments from anyone...perhaps other LEOs who have completed a lateral transfer to another agency?

[Drakor]

Hey T. I believe that with all military and Para military organizations it's the same. Policy dictates that you shouldn't mix you uniform with civilian clothes, and you must wear your complete uniform when wearing it. I have seen alot of Correction Officers wear their uniform to the process here for the police departments and I have in the past wore my uniform to when I was interviewing for the MTA police. Mainly this was because I was comming right from work.
I don't know what your schedule is but if your comming from or going to work then I would wear your uniform to the interview. It's your call and your uniform looks professional enough for the interview and it's a great substitute if your can't afford a good suit and you've out grown your old one

[Charlie]

T.COTE--I second Drakor's comments but I think it would be appropriate to explain to your next potential employer the circumstances of why you are wearing your uniform to the interview. (i.e.: going to or from work and due to time constraints, you could not wear anything else). I think the prospective employer would, in most cases, understand under these circumstances.

Without a doubt, I think a suit or some other type of acceptable business attire would be best. Wearing one's uniform for the sake of wearing it to hopefully impress the potential employer is, in my opinion, inappropriate. And I would think the potential employer would share a similar view. ;D

Charlie

[JimCMR]

Trevor:

As a Commissioner who has sat on hiring Boards, my advise would be to wear civilian clothes to an interview. I would avoid the uniform, it would have turned me off, as well as the other members of my Commission.

The only time I have seen unifoums at an oral interview was for a Promotion Board, when the officers were on duty when they were scheduled.

Stick with the suit, and good luck.

JimCMR

[Cpl Mike]

" Wear a smart suit and ace'em ,boyo"......"L.A. Confidential"......... ;D

[T.COTE]

thanks to everyone that replied. I do think I will go along with the suit, If I go again.

I have an interesting update. I was shot down at the board for the agency I wanted to get on with, but the agency I work for as a reserve sent me to some annual mandatory training at the same agency that I applied with. There were two classes tought on ethics and new law updates. It just so happened that the instructor for one of the classes was the chief for the agency I wanted.

I did my best to be a good student in his class then when class was done I asked to talk to him. (not kissing but) I asked him if it was ok to re apply to his department. He said that he didn't know why I was not forwarded through the process but would be in contact with me.

The next day I get a call from the deputy chief that they had reversed their decision and that my application would be sent for a background investigation.


So I am still in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


It was great news to get. I still have a long way to go with the poly, psych and background. I hope I do ok.

thanks again for all of the replies, I appreciate them all.


T.COTE

[Drakor]

Cool Beans I know you'll do fine. I don't however understand why you would need to go thru all that again if the departments are innerlinked like that......Especially the poly since they are normally good for the time of employement and or one years upon hire.......hmmmm something to ponder Good Luck ...K.U.P.

[JimCMR]

Hey Trevor;

Good work, networking is the way to go, and a word from a respected chief is always good. I emphasise respected chief, because some I have known would be the kiss of death for a candidate.

Anyhow, Good luck.

JimCMR

[T.COTE]

hey all,


thanks for the encouragment. I'll keep you posted.

T.COTE

[newtonjl]

Hello, I am currently serving in the military and am scheduled for my oral board in a couple weeks for the KY State Police.. I was planning to wear my military uniform to convey a proffessional appearance. Does this sound like the way to go or should I wear civilian clothes?


Jason

[Cpl Mike]

Well, unlike the situation we've discussed with T.cote, the wearing of the u.s. military attire(Class"A") is acceptible,particularly if you are still active or recently discharged from the armed services.The issue about the police uniform as unneccessary to wear to an outside agency(T.Cote works as a reserve police officer) was not a "knock" as the outside agency already knows that he is law enforcement.Sounds strange but sometimes there are civilian interviewers on the oral boards(at least here in Calif) and they might question why a"visibly" employed police officer would want to work for the respective agency(i.e. "you already have a job,why come here?").I made the mistake of doing that once before and was later kind of chewed out by an interviewer that actually scored me the highest(got a raise at my Dept and didn't do the lateral transfer).Kind of a showing off thing(don't really know why,but it is) The military is different and some interviewers on the board WILL BE PRIOR MILITARY( and no ,you won't be showing off !)

[newtonjl]

Thanks for the advice, thats pretty much what I was thinking too, I want to show them that I am very proud of my military service(I am still active duty) and I am a good represenative of the military therefore I will be a good rep. for the KSP. Any other opinions are also most welcome!


Thanks again,
Jason