| New CBP uniforms on the way
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On March 1, 2003, officers from the U.S. Customs Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.S. Border Patrol and Agriculture Quarantine Inspections became members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Department of Homeland Security. Transitions are generally difficult, but as the best traditions of each legacy agency surface and become benchmarks for the new organization, law enforcement personnel are reaching across old boundaries and forging new personal and professional alliances.The symbols of this unity are appearing as well, and new CBP uniforms and patch are at the top of the list. Commissioner Robert C. Bonner believes the adoption of a single uniform at the ports of entry is a critical step toward becoming "one face at the border." The uniform and patch also reflects CBP's position within the Department of Homeland Security as the nation's first line of defense against terrorism.Look sharp
A number of considerations affected the final uniform design and manufacturing decisions-the number of officers who need to be re-outfitted, CBP's law enforcement image, and cost and delivery schedules. Commissioner Bonner also stressed that the opinions he'd heard from the rank and file over the last few months played a central role in the decision-making process. In the end, the Commissioner and the CBP transition team selected the following uniform models for all CBP officers assigned to the ports of entry:
- Dress Uniform - The dress uniform will be comprised of dark blue trousers with a black stripe and dark blue dress shirt.
- Ceremonial Uniform - When required, the following items will be added to the dress uniform to complete the ceremonial uniform: dark blue Ike jacket with black accents, black tie, brass tie tack, white gloves, and dark blue felt campaign hat with leather hat band.
- Rough Duty Uniform- The rough duty uniform will be comprised of dark blue work trousers and dark blue work shirt.
- Accessories, Footwear, and Outerwear - Additional items will be offered in matching dark blue or black colors as appropriate. Popular footwear and accessories previously offered will continue to be available.
- Border Patrol Uniform - The Border Patrol will continue to wear the traditional green uniform.
- Patch - The patch will be worn on both sleeves of the CBP uniform. It contains the DHS seal against a black background with a "keystone" shape. A "keystone" is the central, wedge-shaped stone in an arch, which holds all the other stones in place. The patch's shape is representative of the critical and central role that the CBP and its officers play in national security. Above the seal, the name of the agency proudly appears: "U.S. Customs and Border Protection."
Border Patrol agents will retain the legacy Border Patrol patch worn on the left sleeve. However, in addition to that patch, they will wear a single, muted version of the CBP patch on the right sleeve. The Border Patrol's muted version of the CBP patch is still under development but will likely be announced in the very near future.
New look at minimum cost
The cost of the changeover to the new CBP uniforms will not be charged to individual officers-CBP intends to assume all changeover costs above the normal allowance amount.Officers will begin the transition to the new CBP uniform in the next several months. By July 2004, CBP inspectors should all be outfitted in the new apparel. CBP will be working with bargaining unit representatives as they transition to the new uniform. Ordering information and additional instructions will be provided as soon as they are available.Questions and answers, as well as an image of the uniform and patch may be found on CBPnet at the following link http://cnet/xp/cnet/hs/ under "in the spotlight." |
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