Philadelphia Police Department debuts new midnight blue uniforms

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — When it comes to the colors of this city, it’s green for the Eagles, red for the Phils, and baby blue for the police.

But this change might have you doing a double-take.

“I did see one today, it kind of threw me off,” said Brittany Janzer in Center City.

The Philadelphia Police Department announced its phasing out of the powder blue shirts and replacing them with midnight blue ones.

“I would see it as more like blending in in the city. I feel like the other uniforms kinda stick out a little bit more,” said Kevin Johnson, who works across the street from police headquarters.

“Especially at night it’d be kinda hard to see,” said Josh McCudden of Spring Garden.

Officers began sporting the new look on Wednesday, but it’s technically a throwback.

The midnight blue uniforms were worn for more than a century before the powder blue was introduced in the 1970s. The commissioner says this is a way to honor the department’s history and its modern mission.

“Listen, the blue was great, but changing to this new color really shows where we’re going as an organization,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.

“I think the commissioner came in with the idea of changing the uniform to give us a professional look,” said Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 President Roosevelt Poplar.

Poplar says the change also came at the request of many of the officers.

But perhaps the biggest reason: the manufacturer simply stopped making them.

Poplar says only two departments wore the color: Philadelphia and New Orleans.

Officers were provided the new uniforms free of charge. It cost the city $1.3 million, which includes the cost of new vests.

A city spokesperson tells Action News the funding came from unspent personnel costs from last year’s police department budget.

“I want $1.3 million to spend on my wardrobe,” joked Brittany Janzer.

“I don’t think it’s a waste of money,” said Poplar. “I mean, I think the police commissioner is looking to move the department in a different direction. And you know this, this is part of his plans.”

“The city invested in them and gave us the funds to be able to buy these uniforms, making them know that they’re valued in this work,” Bethel said.

You might still see some powder blue patrolling the streets, though. The new uniforms are being rolled out gradually over the next few months. All officers are required to wear them starting January 1.