Lake Charles, LA — Beginning May 5, deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) will be seen in new green uniforms, marking a significant shift aimed at improving functionality, comfort, and professionalism for law enforcement personnel across the parish.
The change comes after Sheriff Stitch Guillory, who took office recently, engaged deputies in a conversation about their needs. One of the most consistent requests was a switch to load-bearing vests. These specialized vests help redistribute the weight of essential law enforcement gear—from radios to handcuffs and service weapons—from the hips to the upper body. This adjustment is intended to reduce physical strain and enhance comfort during long shifts, a common challenge in law enforcement.
While researching options, CPSO discovered that most load-bearing vests are only available in a limited range of standard colors—none of which matched the department’s traditional blue. Custom manufacturing the vests in CPSO blue would have resulted in significant additional costs and delays, making it an impractical solution.
To ensure the transition would best serve deputies and the community, Sheriff Guillory formed a uniform committee composed of frontline deputies. This committee evaluated various uniform styles and colors, focusing on practicality, comfort, and visual appearance. After careful research and consideration, the committee recommended adopting green uniforms, which are compatible with the new load-bearing vests.
“This is not just a uniform change, it is an upgrade in comfort, efficiency, and officer safety,” Sheriff Guillory said. “Our deputies spoke up about what they wanted and what they think they need to do a better job, and we listened. It is important to note that this uniform transition is not incurring substantial new costs as uniform purchases are a routine and budgeted expense and many existing vests and ballistic plates were nearing their scheduled replacement.”
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the green uniforms offer a more modern and unified appearance for CPSO deputies. The transition is also fiscally responsible, as the department had already planned for uniform and equipment replacements in its annual budget. The new uniforms represent not just a visual update, but a commitment to the wellbeing and effectiveness of sworn personnel.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the move honors deputy requests for change while reinforcing CPSO’s dedication to serving Calcasieu Parish with professionalism and pride. The department believes the change will help deputies perform their duties more efficiently and safely, while presenting a cohesive image to the community.
Residents across Calcasieu Parish can expect to see deputies in the new green uniforms effective immediately, a visible symbol of the department’s ongoing efforts to modernize and support its personnel.