Slidell police officers get new duds

As of last Friday, officers with the Slidell Police Department have a different look.

Police Chief Freddie Drennan approved changing the uniform from the gray and black worn by police officers for the past three years to a dark navy blue uniform officers wore before Hurricane Katrina.

After the storm, a lot of officers lost their uniforms, and the decision was made to go to the gray and black uniforms. However, Drennan was told “loud and clear” by the officers they wanted to go back to the navy blue uniforms.

Assistant Police Chief Jesse Simon said there are several advantages to switching back to the old uniforms. First of all, they are cheaper. Simon said the gray and black uniforms cost $104, while the navy blue uniforms are $75. That’s very important for the officers, who have to buy their own uniforms. Secondly, the new uniforms are much easier to buy in the area. Officer Gary Maiorana said the uniforms can be purchased in Slidell or in New Orleans.

Simon said the gray and black uniforms were special order, and officers had to wait for the uniforms to be shipped in.

Drennan said he got complaints from officers that the old uniforms were hard to keep clean and did not press well.

“The new uniforms keep a crease,” Simon said.

But most of all, the officers feel the new uniforms just look good.

“They make us look very professional,” Officer Mark Michaud said.