Captain Danny Ellis gave WDEF a sneak preview of the new uniforms for the Dade County Sheriff's Department.
From shiny black boots to Campaign Hats, Sheriff Ray Cross says it's part of the plan to reinforce professionalism among the department and the community.
Cross says, "When I took over, the officers were in BDU pants and polo shirts and I went back to the Class-A uniforms."
The Sheriff says it's a reminder law-enforcement isn't just a job, but a profession.
"The officers seem to like it. It seems to have picked up their moral. They seem to have more pride in their job, and from the community I'm getting good responses from it," he says.
Captain Ellis, who modeled the uniform for WDEF, says he thinks the new uniforms make an impact.
"People will have some respect for the officers. We're professional, and we're easily identified," Ellis says.
Cross says the uniforms also send a message to the community: That the Sheriff's Department means business.
Sheriff Cross says "Putting the professionalism back in our department is going to contribute to that, to deter crime in our county."
New Sheriff department cars and these HUM-Vs, are also part of this re-branding effort.
But that's not all.
Cross says that A citizens' academy, an explorers group, and a drug interdiction team for the interstate, are already proving successful.
"They made a big traffic stop on the interstate where they seized 30,000 in case and it seems to be working real well," says the Sheriff.
Sheriff Cross says he looks forward to deterring crime, enacting more ideas and spending more time on special programs.
In Dade County, Brittany Shaw, WDEF News 12.
