FORSYTH COUNTY DEPUTIES VOTED
BEST DRESSED IN NATION

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Friday, August 16, 2002

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office can be proud to say they officially hold the title of “Best Dressed County” in the 25th annual Best Dressed Police Department Competition, sponsored by the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD).

Departments all across the country competed in one of five categories: County Departments, Cities over 200, Cities under 200, State Departments and Specialized Agencies. The purpose of the competition is to recognize and honor departments who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in uniform standards. Entrants were judged on their combinations of neatness, projection of authority, practicality, and adherence to uniform regulations. In total there six winners (one in each category, including an Image of the Decade Award in the Specialized Agency category) and four Outstanding Achievement awards.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is proud of its employees and realizes that they are often times the first and only contact the department has with other citizens. Therefore, first appearances are very important. According to Sheriff Ted Paxton: “the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office uniform was designed to project a command appearance while at the same time providing the wearer with a functional, easily maintained and comfortable garmet.”

Traditionally, Georgia sheriff’s offices use tan shirts and dark brown trousers. After much research prior to purchasing, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office decided the color green would be used as part of the uniform. Part of the decision was based on the fact the department uses green accent stripes on its patrol vehicles. The uniform consists mainly of a silver-tan shirt and forest green trousers. The shoulder patch is forest green with silver and gold highlights. The uniform is topped off with a black campaign hat, complete with gold braids and a smaller version of the gold seven-point sheriff’s star badge. A ball-type cap is used with the marine patrol.

“The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office uniform offers a professional look and is a reflection of our professional agency, “ Sheriff Paxton said. “We are very proud of the image we project to our community.”

“Police officers take a tremendous amount of pride in their work,” notes NAUMD Executive Director Bernard J. Lepper. “This pride is, in part, reflected through a department’s uniform program. This year’s fierce competition exemplifies this pride and underscores the link between a professional appearance and effective police work.”

The top winners and their categories are:

• Fort Myer Military Police Academy, VA – Best Dressed Specialized Agency Hall of Fame Inductee – Image of the
• Decade Award
• United States Mint Police – Best Specialized Agency
• Jonesborough Department of Public Safety, TN – Best Dressed City (Under 200 officers)
• Utah Highway Patrol – Best Dressed State Agency
• Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, GA – Best Dressed County Agency
• Columbus, OH Division of Police, OH – Best Dressed City (Over 200 officers)

The Best Dressed Police Department Competition is open to all law enforcement agencies in the United States. After a department submits a completed entry form along with photographs they will be placed in the appropriate category.