When Scott Lindsey was elected Texas County sheriff last year, he promised to make improvements to the department’s equipment and training of its personnel. The equipment side of that promise has recently been addressed, as TCSD deputies now wear new black protective tactical vests when on duty and their patrol vehicles sport new, highly visible graphics.

The new vests are worn outside the uniform and are equipped to carry officers’ weapons and other gear. Officers previously wore the more traditional ballistic type vest (first issued in the 1970s) that is concealed under a uniform, and a duty belt to carry gear.

Lindsey said the equipment deputies carry – including vests – weighs close to 30 pounds. The new vests are designed so that weight is raised away from the waistline.

“That’s quite a bit of extra weight that law enforcement officers are wearing every day,” Lindsey said. “Having some of that equipment attached to the vest instead of a belt might save some officers from having sore necks and back injuries over the years.”  

Lindsey said the vest project was launched a few months ago by Chief Deputy Rowdy Douglas. When deciding where to acquire the vests, Lindsey had a couple of factors in mind.

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“I wanted to get some of the weight off the belt, but I still wanted it to look professional and as presentable to the public as possible as far as being approachable and identifiable,” he said. “I didn’t want it to look like a SWAT team showing up on every call, and that can be tough when you’re wearing outer vests.”

Lindsey did some research and observed what many other departments were doing. The decision was eventually made to go with vests made by Michigan-based Armor Express, costing about $900 apiece. Funding for the vests came in part from a grant and in part from the department’s existing budget funds.

“I think they strike a real balance between the practical advantages and looking how I wanted them to look,” Lindsey said.

TCSD deputies still wear mesh shirts under their vests that bear the familiar department patches and American flags, and their badges will be easily viewable mounted to the vests.

“I think sheriff’s deputies might even be more identifiable this way than just a guy wearing a uniform,” Lindsey said. “They’re also much easier to remove, so when someone comes into the office to type up five reports, they can take their vest off and it’s right there ready to snap back on if they get a hot call and have to get out and run on it.”

TCSD officers began wearing the new vests earlier this year and have been very receptive to the change.

“This is something they wanted, but I wanted it done the right way,” Lindsey said. “I think that has been accomplished.”

“It’s a great all-round vest,” said Cpl. Reuben Salazar. “The weight on your back just isn’t there and it helps a bigger guy like me be able to get to everything much easier than before. It also has lots of storage and it’s even needle-proof, which is important with all the meth we deal with around here.

“And getting in and out of these is really easy, which could be important in an emergency situation. I’m a big fan; I honestly can’t think of anything against them.”

Lindsey said he and the department’s court deputies will continue to use the traditional concealed vest and duty belt.

“I prefer that tradition as the sheriff,” Lindsey said, “and I think the people working in the courts every day need to have that traditional look as well.”

PATROL VEHICLE GRAPHICS

TCSD deputies’ patrol vehicles are now equipped with brightly colored, easily noticeable graphics on both sides and the rear. A contest was conducted among high school students at local schools to come up with a design.

“We didn’t necessarily select a winner,” Lindsey said, “but we took some of the things we liked and incorporated them with what we had in mind.”

Lindsey said he was never a fan of having officers drive around in unmarked vehicles.

“When I came into office, 90-percent of the fleet was unmarked,” he said. “Now, everyone who’s on patrol has a marked vehicle. Our fleet will be much more visible and people will see our vehicles when they’re out.

“I’ve heard comments from people who said they never see us in their neighborhood, but I think we were probably out there more than they realized and they just didn’t know they were looking at a sheriff’s deputy.”

The new graphics were done by Calian Graphics in Licking. Lindsey said his vehicle and those used by Douglas and Sgt. Kenny Reynolds will remain unmarked for investigative purposes.

“I didn’t want it to look like a SWAT team showing up on every call, and that can be tough when you’re wearing outer vests.”

TEXAS COUNTY SHERIFF SCOTT LINDSEY