Cops get fashion tip from checkered past

To cap the deal, the director needed cooperation from Chicago police.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- If the new city police hats look familiar, it's because they are the same checkerboard covers worn by Chicago police.
"They're either going to love them or hate them," Robert Paterniti, director of the city's department of public safety, said of his officers.
"Everyone who has seen them has said it's a good-looking hat," he added.
Paterniti, a retired Champion music teacher, explained that he became fond of the style while working on his master's degree in Chicago from 1971 to 1974.
Paterniti was a firearms instructor for three years at the FBI facility in Quantico, Va., before taking the safety director's job last October.
Contacted company: Paterniti said that after being named to the city position, he contacted the Kale Hat Co. in Chicago, which manufactures hats for Chicago police. Pittsburgh police also wear a checkered version.
Over the phone, Paterniti said he got to know co-owner Richard Booth. At first, the safety director explained, Kale said it would be impossible to make the hats for Hubbard police.
Within days, Paterniti said, Booth called back and said Chicago police had agreed to allow the copying of their hats.
The $36.20 hat replaced the traditional solid blue, eight-point cap last week. The top is round with the checkerboard rim.
The checkers are white and blue -- Hubbard's school colors -- for patrol officers and gold and blue for sergeants.
White and blue also matches the colors of the police department's new police cars.
The hats have been used for years by the Metropolitan London Police, or Scotland Yard, when they aren't wearing their well-known helmets.
"They're much nicer than the ones we had," said Patrol Officer Lou Carsone.
Not required: Paterniti explained that because his officers aren't required to wear hats with their uniform, the checkered hats will be worn during special occasions, such as directing traffic at funerals or political events. Because of his FBI experience, Hubbard police are not required to wear hats. Paterniti believes a hat obstructs vision and is an easy target.
"It's going to take time for them [officers] to get used to them," said Paterniti, noting that not being required to wear them all the time will help.
"Tactically, it's not sound. I don't want them to worry about their hat," Paterniti said of his officers.