The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the addition of cowboy hats to the uniform policy. Deputies and staff brought this idea to the table for the Sheriff to research and discuss the possibilities of implementing this in our agency. The feedback from our research was nothing but positive in other communities. The use of a cowboy hat can be a conversation starter and a way for officers to connect with the public. This simple interaction can help to humanize law enforcement and build positive relationships within the community. The association of cowboy hats with law enforcement is rooted in the history of the American West, where sheriffs and lawmen wore such hats thus evoking a connection to the historical traditions of law enforcement.
The idea was then presented to the staff, and very positive feedback was received. The policy will follow cowboy hat etiquette, and the decision was made to wear straw hats for summer and felt hats for winter. The men and women of the BCSO decided on the brand and color for each season that would be allowed with the uniform. Participation in this program is optional as the deputies are responsible for purchasing their own hat if they would like to wear them. We are excited to implement this within the department and to receive feedback from the community. This policy went into effect on July 1st, 2025.
