Marshals provide cost estimate to add a dash of color to uniforms

Start with a blue shirt to find the perfect balance for cop fashionistas?

By Mark Reaman

Changing the uniforms of the Crested Butte Marshal’s Department to add at least a splash of color to the primarily black uniforms would come at a price. In the Black Lives Matter discussions taking place at the Town Council level, some council members have said the marshals appear too militaristic in their all-black uniforms and they would prefer to soften the appearance.

Chief marshal Mike Reily provided the council with a report outlining the reasoning, history and evolution of the marshal’s uniforms to the current look. In his report, Reily said the department is not opposed to making changes to the uniform but believes the current uniform design meets professional criteria “and is not out of line with what other police departments are doing or community sentiment as expressed to our officers.”

Reily went into great detail about the makeup, style and comfort level of uniform components like external armor carriers, vests, French blue polo shirts and the switch from jeans to cargo pants.

Following his research, Reily concluded that adding an Academy blue shirt would soften the look of the uniform and cost the town about $3,000. Changing the shirt and pants to blue would cost about $8,500. Making a full change to a navy blue uniform would tally closer to $14,000.

Reily emphasized the need to make sure whatever uniform is used, officers must clearly be identified as police officers. The staff recommendation was to either keep the current black uniform or substitute the shirts with an Academy blue color. Council did not discuss the color issue at the August 17 council meeting but is expected to take up the matter at a future meeting and during 2021 budget discussions that begin August 31.