PPD changes its look

By Terry Murry on Monday, February 8th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – Uniforms for the Pendleton Police Department are undergoing some changes. Police Chief Chuck Byram said that the changes began while Stuart Roberts was still chief. The most noticeable change will be the officers are giving up their straw hats for caps.

“The straw hat is heavy and hot,” Byram said. “We get a lot of hot weather around here and it’s just a little more user friendly for the officer.”

The other change is the utility vests. Byram said the new vests are worn higher, which should help protect officers from hip and lower back problems.

“I know I feel the difference,” he said. “I have a hip that is going to need to be replaced and I can’t help but think that it’s because of 20-plus years of wearing 30 pounds of gear around my waist.”

Byram said that the uniform changes were initiated by now retired chief Stuart Roberts, who had lower back problems of his own. He added that the officers will keep their old dress uniforms for special occasions.

Photo by Diana Melton: Officer Chase Addleman shows the cap and vest that are new to the force.