I remember, fondly, my days as a young “Adam-12” fan. Malloy and Reed always wore long-sleeve black uniform blouses, buttoned up, with matching black neckties. I’m sure that was de rigeur for 1970 L.A.'s actual police.
Today, LAPD officers on the street typically wear short-sleeved black shirts with a white undershirt, no tie.
Any idea when this change occurred?
The tie and long sleeves is still part of the mandated uniform. The tieless, short-sleeve option is just that, an option. Division commanders control who wears what when in their divisions.
*615.10 OPTIONAL UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS. The optional uniform shall consist of the basic uniform with short sleeves, an open convertible collar, and the tie removed.
A undershirt shall be worn under the optional uniform shirt. The undershirt shall be white and shall have a round crew neck collar.
Officers not wearing the optional uniform shall wear the basic uniform with long sleeves and a tie.
Although the optional uniform is authorized, officers shall wear the basic uniform, with long sleeves and a tie, when the division commanding officer deems it appropriate.
Note: When the wearing of an optional uniform is authorized, officers may wear a uniform manufactured from the optional summer‑weight material.*
Most of these officers are probably chosing this optional uniform for safety. Bad Guys have been known to use an officer’s tie as a weapon. On a LEO, a tie is nothing more than a noose waiting to happen.
Not really. The uniform requirements state that the tie must be of the “break-away” or “clip-on” type.
CG2305, LEO ties are (almost) always clip-ons, for the very reason you stated. In fact, I’d think cops would want to wear one - if a perp has a hand free and grabs your tie thinking he can choke you with it, it gives you an extra second to take him down while he gapes at the cheesy clip-on in his hand.