When attending a court or public appearance out of uniform, it is important that you maintain a professional appearance. Unfortunately, if you are a female law enforcement officer, there is even more pressure on you to play your part correctly to command respect and maintain a professional appearance.
The following suggestions can help you make smart choices with your wardrobe for a court appearance, job interview, or any other professional public appearance you may make in your role as a Law Enforcement Officer.
- Know your audience – while it might seem sexist to state that women should be wearing suits with skirts rather than pants, the reality is that some judges and other individuals you will appear in front of are traditional. The standard is in fact sexist, there is no denying that. And, it is up to you whether or not you’re willing to accept that, or if you’d rather assert your right to wear pants. When you know your audience, you will know what approach will ultimately be more beneficial for you when you make your wardrobe choices.
- Dress in colors that are seen as warm – go with a traditional, professional colored suit, but when choosing the shirt that goes underneath, make it warm as that will help you seem friendly and approachable. Humanizing ourselves when we are cops is important to public perception.
- Keep it natural – with regards to hair and makeup, neat and natural is the way to go.
While how to dress is only one small component of the overall image you convey, approaching it correctly can make a big difference.