Former mayoral candidate arrested for fleeing, 'dragging' officer

You are absolutely right people don't care what you look like as long as you solve their problems, but don't be naive. From the minute you have contact with someone in the public as a police officer, you are being sized up. Your physical appearance and how competent you are. Shorts say "Comfortablity over professionalism." I guess there is no right or wrong answer, but I suspect any serious debate would reveal shorts worn by police officers rank pretty low in the arena of public perception.

I have no problem with shorts and polo shirts, they can be worn in such a way to be "professional." I do have a problem with teeshirts with obvious wear at the neck, faded, snagged up uniforms, scratched up nameplates, scratched up shoes, belts, etc. I don't mind "sneaker-type" shoes rather than Clarino, in fact, I find the former more functional, as long as they are clean and well-tended.