NYPD bans its own apparel

NEW YORK, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Some New York Police Department officers say a ban on wearing merchandise bearing the department's logo violates their constitutional rights.

The order, issued Jan. 19 by Commissioner Raymond Kelly, bans all 35,000 police officers in the city from "wearing any item of apparel which contains a department logo or shield or in any way identifies its wearer with the New York City Police Department unless approved by the Uniform and Equipment Review Committee prior to being worn by a member of the service, uniformed or civilian, on or off duty," the New York Daily News reported Wednesday.

Pat Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, said that the order is a violation of officers' constitutional rights.

"Telling police officers what images or objects he or she can own or wear in their private lives is a clear violation of the officers' free speech rights," Lynch said. "Many private citizens proudly wear NYPD apparel -- and police officers can't? It makes no sense. The PBA believes the order is patently unlawful and we will defend our members' rights."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the decision was up to Kelly.

"He should set the standards. You can't have it both ways. PD, we say that they're on 24/7. When they're not officially at work ... they're still police officers and that's one of the things that enhances the safety in our city," he said. "And so they're not totally independent even when they're not on duty ... I'll leave it to Ray."