Question For Fhp

[459 FIGHT GROUP]

Could someone explain why the FHP went from the old stetson police hat to the smokey the bear style?. I know that style is more associated with SP and HP but some great departments NYSP, MARYLAND SP, CONN SP use the stetson style. Texas DPS uses the unique cowboy stetson.I just thought it looked a lot better than the new. Also was it accepted in a positive way by the FHP?, was it voted on ?, any chance of the old style coming back?. I just like the old tradition and hate change. I know the question is a few years out of date, I've just always wondered what the story was with the change.
Thanks for any help.

[ftlaudcop]

a few years back, f.h.p hired their man in charge from illinois, who was a state police officer, and thus changed the stetson over....how well it was received,,,,thats another chatter has to answer....

[StudChris]

A lot of Texas DPS still wear their cowboys boots too. Atleast I believe they still do. Then again maybe some troopers in Florida do too I don't know. I agree the stetson looks better, but i think the stetson looks better with Justins at the bottom of the uniform, not danners or whatever they happen to be wearing. But I'm also curious as to how well the change was received.

[crazy4honda]

I never knew FHP had the Stetsons....I was thinking they had always worn the campaign covers. When did they switch?

[trinityalumnus]

Could someone explain why the FHP went from the old stetson police hat to the smokey the bear style?. I know that style is more associated with SP and HP but some great departments NYSP, MARYLAND SP, CONN SP use the stetson style. Texas DPS uses the unique cowboy stetson.I just thought it looked a lot better than the new. Also was it accepted in a positive way by the FHP?, was it voted on ?, any chance of the old style coming back?. I just like the old tradition and hate change. I know the question is a few years out of date, I've just always wondered what the story was with the change.
Thanks for any help.

From "History of the FHP" from their website:

After 50 years of tradition, the campaign hat introduced by Colonel H. Neil Kirkman, was changed to the "Smoky Bear" type hat which is black in color, providing a contrast that matches the epaulets and piping around the pockets.

In May of 1994, the Florida Highway Patrol was in for a change in hats. Studies showed the Campaign hat provided more protection from Florida's cancerous ultraviolet sun rays than other law enforcement hats. In addition, a 1989 Ball State University study of seven types of police uniform hats rated the Campaign hat #1 for providing officers with the most authoritative and commanding presence, and showed the wearing of uniform hats a positive effect on the public's image of police officers.

http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/html/story5w.html and scroll down a bit.

[459 FIGHT GROUP]

Trinityalumnus, thanks for the answer and also pointing out a section that I had not seen, even though I had been on the FHP website dozens of times.
Ftlaudcop, right on the money as you usually are with helpful information for the florida area. Studchris, I believe cowboy boots are the issued footwear for the Texas DPS. Recruit photos showed a recruit polishing a pair, and on their recruiting video a trooper accelerates his cruiser wearing a pair. I think the Texas DPS uniform is one of the best. Crazy4Honda, You can see how the old stetsons looked on memorial photos for officers KIA that they have on the FHP website. You be the judge, but I still think the stetson was better.
Thanks for the help.

[trinityalumnus]

Trinityalumnus, thanks for the answer and also pointing out a section that I had not seen, even though I had been on the FHP website dozens of times.
.


That FHP website section is pretty well hidden. I was home sick with the flu recently and was passing the time surfing various dept's websites. FHP actually has their policy and procedure manuals online as well.

Go to FHP homepage. Look on the right side column labeled "Quick Topics." In that column click on "general information." Lots of odds-and-ends interesting reading.

[trinityalumnus]

. I think the Texas DPS uniform is one of the best. .

This is from FHP homepage "photo / story gallery", where troopers from all states helped with President Bush's inauguration in 2005.

This close-up of troopers from several states shows a wide diversity in uniforms. The most interesting is Delaware (Rhode Island?), the guy in the riding breeches.

http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/PhotoGallery/images1/PG021105a.jpg

The entire story with more pics

http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/PhotoGallery/PG021105.htm

[459 FIGHT GROUP]

Trinityalumnus,
That is a Rhode Island SP in the boots. Won a uniform award for it and were on the David Letterman show years ago. They actually wear that uniform with the boots as their winter uniform. For summer shoes they wear a brown chuka type with the brown leather. Small, (approx 300) very squared away group.