How do I make sure my uniform looks perfect for my first day as an uniform?

Question

I start my FTO program on Thursday and my academy only focused on making sure the uniform was "presentable", we didn't cover ironing, shining boots and all that. But I want to make an impression on my first day.

Answer 1

Holy doo-doo, where did you have your academy? Mine was 26 weeks long and we had to have perfect boots and uniforms for the whole time (boots mirror gloss, creases in uniforms etc...). Just remember, the first thing to learn in FTO is forget everything about the academy, it's game time and the bad guys will not give you a break because it's your 1st time out. They can smell fresh meat just like a seasoned officer. Make sure you are impressed with your appearance, if you have confidence with yourself everything else is easy

Answer 2

The easiest way to do this is look at your departments uniform and grooming standards. They will tell you how your uniform is supposed to look. Follow them.

Yes, shine your boots, iron your uniform (or, be smart and take it to a one day cleaner and have them press them for you there, use light starch.) Make sure your name plate is properly displayed. Make sure there are no strings hanging near the buttons, or collar points or the seams.

Always remember, BE CAREFUL ON THE STREETS!

Answer 3

Look. You might take some kidding for a perfect turn-out, if older officers aren't normally so polished. But you're going to take the kidding, anyway, so it might as well be for something positive. But they're going to be real critical during FTO, so you'd like to get "Above Expectations" in that area. Shine and iron neatly. It doesn't have to be a mirror spit shine or starched creased you could cut yourself on. Unless, of course, that's the norm there. And it's kind of good to start out the shift pretty sharp. It's going to break down some as the day goes by, especially, as the rookie, you'll be the one who has to crawl under the house (carry handy-wipes), help the M.E.'s assistant tote the bloated corpse (carry a small jar of Ben-g*y in your duty bag - you'll be glad one day), and other fun stuff.

Answer 4

My first advice on the uniform would be get it professionally dry cleaned, heavy starch, if the officers at your department wear it with military creases, have them put those in.

If you don't want to have it dry cleaned. Just iron it yourself and use starch (Niagara is my brand, but they all seem about the same). Apply a light coat of starch and iron out the wrinkles. Not too hard, if you have trouble ask your mother, grandmother, military friends, ect

Make sure to clean your brass. If you get a used badge, name tag, collar brash, ect you may want to use some brasso on it. If not, just wipe them down.

Shining shoes is my passion. I love nothing more than a well shined pair of boots. Shining boots isn't difficult, just pick up some shoe polish at your local Military surplus (People who were former Army/Air Force prefer Kiwi, Marines like Lincoln.) There are many other brands out that, but Kiwi is the only one I've ever had experience with. Avoid "Parade Gloss" or the instant shine c**p, that will only harm your leather. Just get the standard black paste.

The simplest way to shine your boots is apply a light coat of polish, then buff it with a brush designed for polishing (always sold near the actual polish). Do that with several coats, and you will get an acceptable shine.

If you want your boots to look like glass, you can spit shine them (sometimes called bulling). I tend to spit shine mine once or twice a month. It is extremely time consuming (easily 2 hours for a pair) but worth it. Basically, just wrap some cloth around your fingers, apply a light coat...spit on the boot, buff...repeat until your boots look like glass. There are several how-tos on the web that will give you a much better guide, but that is the basic concept. Spit shining is NOT required at most departments. But I think the extra effort is always good.

When you put your uniform together. Make sure everything is straight and on correctly (badge, name tag, ect) and make sure you have a good gig line (your belt buckle, fly and shirt buttons should all line up). Have a friend or family member look you over and move any stray strings.

I love when new officers have great looking uniforms. But your FTO program is about training you to be a cop and keeping you live...Your appearance is only part of that. So remember to also focus on what you are being taught and learn everything you can at this stage in your career.