UT Police Modernizes Uniforms, Equips New Public Safety Officers with Training Vests

UT Police has introduced newly designed training vests and upgraded uniforms for Public Safety Officers, signaling a continued commitment to both safety and professionalism on campus.

The most visible change is the implementation of new training vests now worn by newly hired Public Safety Officers. The lightweight bright blue vests, which are worn over the white shirt that designates our Uniformed Security Operations team members, are a visible cue to our community that the team members are in their transitional field training phase and are gaining in-the-field experience that equips them for their new role.

New PSOs are issued the vests during the classroom instruction period during which they gain the knowledge they’ll need to succeed in their role. New PSOs continue to don the vests for a three-week period while gaining real-world experience across our campus under the supervision of seasoned personnel. The vests clearly identify trainees, helping field officers, university staff, and students recognize that these individuals are in a learning phase.

“These vests serve a dual purpose,” said Public Safety Manager David Johnsrud. “They support accountability and mentorship while also fostering community engagement by making the training process transparent.”

In addition to the training vests, all Public Safety Officers received updated uniforms that improve functionality and comfort. Key enhancements include:

• Pants made from new, breathable material: The pants offer increased flexibility and ventilation, ideal for long shifts in varying weather conditions.
• Lightweight jackets: The updated jackets are crafted from a lighter, more breathable fabric that maintains weather resistance without adding bulk. This ensures officers remain agile and comfortable while on duty, especially during transitional weather seasons.
• New white uniform shirts: These shirts now feature an added tab on the chest designed specifically for improved microphone placement. This enhancement enables clearer audio transmission, allowing telecommunicators to hear officers more effectively and improving the quality of recorded communications.

The redesign of the uniforms is part of UT Police’s broader initiative to modernize gear and improve the working conditions for all public safety officers who serve and protect the university community.

“These changes may seem simple, but they represent thoughtful improvements in how we support our officers,” Johnsrud added. “Better uniforms mean more comfort, which leads to better performance — and ultimately, better service for our campus.”

The new vests and uniforms are already in use.