Underfunded Sheriffs forced to accept hand-me-downs; OSHP wins ''best-dressed"

Sheriff Donating Items To Smaller Counties
Associated Press
November 16, 2003

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is sending old uniforms to rural areas in Ohio to help poorer counties facing budget cuts.

Chris Wise serves as administrative assistant to Franklin County Sheriff Jim Karnes. She spearheaded the program this year after hearing about budget cuts in poorer counties.

Surplus shirts, trousers, hats, holsters and equipment belts are going to places like rural Jackson County in southeastern Ohio.

Jackson County Sheriff John Shasteen said a tight budget forces him to choose between uniforms and necessities like tires or squad cars.

Shasteen says accepting hand-me-downs is somewhat embarrassing but necessary.

Officials say used uniforms are plentiful in Franklin County because the deputies' contract mandates they receive new ones each year.

Meanwhile at the Ohio State Highway Patrol (flush with cash from the Governor's spending and tax increases):

Ohio Highway Patrol zips up best dressed honor
Martins Ferry Times Leader
October 02, 2003

LOOKS AREN'T everything, but don't tell that to troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol the next time you're pulled over on a traffic stop.

The agency has once again been recognized for its professional appearance by the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors, a non-profit trade group representing the uniform industry.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol recently received the Grand National Winner Award in the NAUMD's annual Best Dressed Police competition, state category.

"The patrol's appearance sets the tone for our professionalism," said Col. Paul McClellan, patrol superintendent. "Troopers are proud of their image, and the uniform projects this image every day as we serve the citizens of Ohio."

Commentary:
Ohio's 88 county sheriffs are the highest law enforcement entities in the state. They make twice as many traffic stops as the OSHP does, and they deal with far more violent crime investigations than does the OSHP, which is focused primarily on enforcing traffic laws. Ohio's sheriffs deserve better.