The Vancouver Police Department wants to find a more environmentally friendly way of getting rid of old uniforms that doesn’t put them in the hands of criminals.
The department’s business plan for 2016 states the VPD plans to have a policy in place this year on the management of decommissioned uniforms that is based on “environmental sustainability, public safety and officer safety.”
“There are many security concerns when it comes to the decommissioning of uniforms,” said a VPD report that accompanied the 2016 business plan, which was released last month. “Unlike other first responders, police uniforms must be carefully managed to prevent them from being used for nefarious purposes, most notably, posing as a police officer.”
The report noted there are two local businesses that dispose of uniforms but neither of them meets the department’s security standards. The VPD has more than 1,300 officers, with anywhere from a handful to several dozen per year who retire.
Const. Brian Montague, a VPD media liaison officer, said retiring officers can keep a formal dress uniform to wear at VPD-sanctioned events such as funerals. Uniforms still in good shape are re-issued but others that are old or damaged are incinerated.
Montague said the department’s “code green” committee is participating in the City of Vancouver-led “greenest city scholar” program where a university student will research best options for getting rid of uniforms. He said the department would be interested in being able to repurpose uniforms, without compromising security.
Montague said he couldn’t recall any recent incidents where a crime was committed in Vancouver where a person was allegedly dressed as a police officer.
“It doesn’t happen very often, thankfully,” said Montague, noting, however, that police do get reports of people pretending to be plainclothes officers.
In September 2014, police arrested three men in connection with 13 thefts committed by fake cops. The men identified themselves as police to tourists by showing a fake badge. They then asked for their wallets and passports. The tourists’ belongings were returned with no money in them.
Capt. Jonathan Gormick, public information officer for Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, said the department’s old uniforms are donated to the Vancouver Firefighters’ Charitable Society, which removes badges and identification before giving them to Trans Continental Textile Recycling Ltd. or Firefighters Without Borders.
“The safety concerns are significant, especially in light of several recent occurrences of people impersonating [department] staff to gain access to homes and businesses,” Gormick said in an email to the Courier. “Our staff are welcome to keep uniforms upon retirement, but all staff are advised that before unwanted uniforms are discarded, all identifying marks must be removed.”
@Howellings
