# When did the LAPD stop requiring ties as part of officer uniforms? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 3, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-lapd-stop-requiring-ties-as-part-of-officer-uniforms/475529 "2008-12-03T17:39:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-lapd-stop-requiring-ties-as-part-of-officer-uniforms/475529/1 "2008-12-03T17:39:35Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-lapd-stop-requiring-ties-as-part-of-officer-uniforms/475529/2 "2008-12-03T17:46:13Z")
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.\* ---
**Author:** ![CG2305](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/35a633/32.png) [@CG2305](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CG2305)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-lapd-stop-requiring-ties-as-part-of-officer-uniforms/475529/3 "2008-12-03T19:07:38Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-lapd-stop-requiring-ties-as-part-of-officer-uniforms/475529/4 "2008-12-03T19:09:53Z")
Not really. The uniform requirements state that the tie must be of the “break-away” or “clip-on” type. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-lapd-stop-requiring-ties-as-part-of-officer-uniforms/475529/5 "2008-12-03T19:11:34Z")
**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.