# Black plastic gloves on officials
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-plastic-gloves-on-officials/716302
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 29, 2015, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-plastic-gloves-on-officials/716302 "2015-03-29T21:52:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2015, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-plastic-gloves-on-officials/716302/1 "2015-03-29T21:52:12Z")
I often watch various programs like “Border Security”, “Cops”, etc. I frequently see police and border patrol on those programs using black gloves that look like typical exam gloves except that they are black. As well, when I volunteer at a nearby hospital the peace officers that wander around there sometimes have similar black gloves crammed in their back pockets (security and police might also carry them; I haven’t been paying close attention).
Are those just “normal” latex or nitrile gloves like medical staff often wear except that they are black, or is there something special about them?
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### Author:  [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-plastic-gloves-on-officials/716302/2 "2015-03-29T22:12:44Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Black nitrile gloves are preferred by law enforcement, postal workers, mechanics and tattoo shops – all for different reasons. Law enforcement personnel wear black to differentiate themselves from medics and other first responders that frequently wear blue nitrile gloves and provide medical care. Postal workers wear black because of its high contrast with white powders. Mechanics and tattoo artists prefer them because black camouflages grease and blood respectively.
From [http://hourglass-intl.com/2011/12/13/does-glove-color-matter/](http://hourglass-intl.com/2011/12/13/does-glove-color-matter/)
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### Author:  [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-plastic-gloves-on-officials/716302/3 "2015-03-29T22:14:52Z")
Our technicians use them at my work and they’re not medical, law enforcement, security or anything like that.
I guess the black gloves just look cool.
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### Author:  [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-plastic-gloves-on-officials/716302/4 "2015-03-29T22:17:18Z")
Thanks **yoyodyne**. Sounds logical.
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### Author:  [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-plastic-gloves-on-officials/716302/5 "2015-03-29T23:48:03Z")
The whole reason I logged in and posted to this thread was to say:
"…“and they’re just otherwise normal nitrile gloves.”…
but forgot to put that in my reply.
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### Author:  [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-plastic-gloves-on-officials/716302/6 "2015-03-30T00:20:36Z")
The store I work at sells beige latex gloves, blue nitrile, purple vinyl, and the dark brown/black gloves, too (I think they’re also latex? Haven’t looked lately). The colors do help distinguish the different types.
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### Author:  [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-plastic-gloves-on-officials/716302/7 "2015-03-30T01:01:56Z")
Some black gloves (Black Talon brand) are slightly thicker than your standard issue blue or purple nitrile gloves, making them slightly less likely to rip. Not great for medical care, but I can see the appeal if you’re doing searches etc.
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-plastic-gloves-on-officials/716302/8 "2015-03-30T01:18:31Z")
The EMTs that I know wear blue and purple (don’t remember which, might be both) nitrile gloves. I, to be honest, figured it was just because it was ‘cooler’ than plain vinyl or latex gloves, but I suppose what they’re doing is less delicate than work in a doctors office or hospital. When you’re pulling someone out of a car wreck or dealing with an ODing addict you’re probably more likely to end up with a ripped glove than in a more controlled situation so a more heavy duty glove seems to be in order. As for why they don’t use white. I’m not sure. My guess is that it’s a combination of A)a rip will be more obvious and B)the manufacturers made colored gloves and they sold, probably (at least partially) because they’re cooler looking. When you’re in full firefighter or EMT gear, there’s not a whole lot of personal expression. Tattoos and mustaches, that’s about it. Purple gloves, well, one does want a hint of color.