I was just wondering " about" how much a police uniform costs. I just mean the part an officer buys, not what the department supplies.
By the way, what does the police departments provide ?
I know this probably depends on the department.
Do they get a discount ?
This might help…
Ask every police department in the world, and however many of them there are, you will get that name number of differing answers.
My information is old, but, at least in Denver, they used to (as of the late 90s-early 00s) get a clothing allowance, which could be used for cleaning and item replacement but really it was just a nontaxable add-on to the salary and could have been used for anything. As I recall it was about $40/month at the time. One of the cops I talked to said her summer uniform was supposedly washable but actually–it was a dark, stiff cotton–could only be ironed professionally. That is to say, she was free to wash and iron it herself, but she couldn’t get it wrinkle-free up to standards so she sent it to the cleaners. She also said the clothing allowance wasn’t really enough.
She also carped about having to do inside work when she was pregnant, and she still had to wear a uniform, and part of the uniform was wearing a belt. No allowances for the fact that she, uh, didn’t have a waist. She said it was a really bad look. But at the time, women who were not in uniform had the same restriction–tucked in collared shirt with a belt.
Uniformed cops in Denver at the time could only wear their uniforms when they were on duty, so that somehow made any costs incurred over the clothing allowance deductible for tax purposes.
Too bad I didn’t ask about the discount. Next time I talk to a cop, I’ll ask. (I am not going to seek one out though.) I’ll bet the dry cleaners give them a discount. Or some of them, anyway.
The IRS regs on deductibility of uniforms are pretty simple. If the clothing is unsuitable for normal wear, it’s a deductible employee business expense (Form 2106). If not, not.
My pilot uniforms’ purchase cost and all maintenance are fully deductible. The generic corporate “uniform” suit my boss got at Men’s Wearhouse is not deductible since he can wear it to dinner & not look like a dork. Unlike me.
Various folks over the years have tried to argue "I wear jeans, a band name T-shirt, and sneakers on the weekend. The only reason I own sox and a suit and a tie is for work. So that stuff *must *be a deductible uniform. IRS says “No. Gotta be distinctive looking and unsuitable for off-duty wear.” Any employer policies about off duty wear are immaterial to the IRS.
As to discount dry cleaners: A couple over the years have given me discounts when I asked. Those that haven’t have countered with “Are you a cop or fireman?” When I say “no”, they said “no.” The implication is pretty clear.
This.
I was a full time Deputy Sheriff for 25 years. We got everything from the agency. 5 short sleeve, 5 long sleeve, 5 trousers every year. All insignia/pins, duty belt, weapons, shoes, everything. If something got damaged like a torn pants leg or something we just went to the contracted uniform store and got a replacement.
After I retired I took a part-time patrol position with another department. I wanted to keep my LEO certification plus the extra money was a nice supplement to my pension.
Part-timers get a uniform allowance of $260 per year but we have to supply everything: uniform shirts/pants, duty belt, baton/pistol/OC. The only thing they give part-timers is a badge.
I already had my own duty belt and weapon and stuff. I buy uniforms from Quartermaster. A uniform shirt from them is about $40/$50 for short/long sleeve, and the trousers are about $65. Because I only work 2-3 days per week I only need 2 sets of clothing. The $260 per year about covers it.
pkbites, what is OC?
Pepper spray. Or taco spray, depending on how hot you like your taco.
I have been in law enforcement for 19 years myself, and both departments I have worked for have provided everything. But as was said above, Quartermaster has everything I have ever used.
Thanks. Never heard it referred to like that.
The Minneapolis PD also supplies five long sleeve, five short sleeve, and five pants, along with hat, coat, and vest. The vest is supposed to last a few years. If you plump out/lose weight, it’s on you to buy your own new one. Your belt is on you to provide.
My sister was a reserve with a local PD and she received two long sleeve, two polos, two pants, vest and belt.
Much money is spent at Streichers for replacement and supplemental equipment.