Do vehicles need sheriff’s monogram?

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 27, 2016

One look in the mirror confirms for us that we’re far from fashion experts. That said, we know what looks sharp when we see it.

As uniforms go, few are all that flattering. But we agree with Sheriff Travis Patten’s decision to go a bit more practical on uniforms deputies use.

As Patten said, the former uniforms — cowboy boots, jeans and cowboy hats — were not exactly the most practical threads to don when chasing down a suspect.

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The new uniforms — put into service over the last several days — look far more comfortable and more professional.

Hopefully deputies and the public agree.

Uniforms are an ongoing and necessary expense of all sheriffs’ offices.

Another, somewhat related, expense isn’t.

When sheriff’s administrations change the general thought is that being elected sheriff means each of the sheriff’s office vehicles need to be emblazoned with the new sheriff’s name.

To our knowledge all of the Adams County sheriffs in recent years have put their personal monogram on the patrol cars.

We’ve long thought this is a silly practice that simply wastes money.

All sheriffs across Mississippi — perhaps the entire country — seem to do this, and it’s really not necessary.

At best, it’s simply a rolling political sign, at worse it’s something that must be removed from dozens of cars each time a new sheriff is elected.

Perhaps one of our local legislators will make a note to consider passing a bill next year to end the frivolous practice once and for all.