Black uniforms out for most Benton County Sheriff's Office deputies

BENTONVILLE -- Benton County Sheriff's Office deputies soon will get a uniform makeover. Green khaki pants and tan shirts will replace the black military look now in use, Sheriff Meyer Gilbert said. Green pants and tan shirts were chosen because many sheriff's offices across the county use those colors in their uniforms, Gilbert said. The new uniforms will cost more than $20,000.

Southern Uniforms, located in Missouri, will provide the uniforms, Gilbert said.

The Sheriff's Office will purchase uniforms for 150 people. Two short-sleeve shirts and two pair of pants will be provided to deputies. Long-sleeve shirts will be purchased later this year, Gilbert said. Jail deputies will not receive new uniforms.

The new uniforms will have a redesigned Sheriff's Office patch on the left sleeve and a new sewn-on badge on the shirt front. Gilbert did not have a date of when deputies will begin to wear the new attire.

Getting new uniforms was one of the things Gilbert said he would do when he took office in May.

The Benton County Quorum Court appointed Gilbert to replace Kelley Cradduck, who resigned in April.

Glenn Latham, the independent candidate for Benton County sheriff in the November election, said Friday he had not seen any samples of the new uniform.

"I would have returned them to a more professional appearance uniform away from the SWAT style black, so, hopefully, these will be professional and functional as well," Latham said.

Shawn Holloway, chief deputy with the Sheriff's Office and the Republican candidate for sheriff, previously said he will not make changes to the uniform if he is elected.

The uniforms are not the only things to change at the Sheriff's Office.

All of the Ford Explorers and Dodge Chargers in the Sheriff's Office fleet have received a new white-and-black design. The markings on the office's Chevy Tahoes -- black vehicles marked with ghost decals -- soon will change, too Gilbert said.

"We want people to know its law enforcement immediately," Gilbert said. "We are trying to do the entire fleet as soon as possible."