By: Kimberly Osborne
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Kimberly Osborne
Mark Rabitor, Security Office Administrative Coordinator, shows off the new uniform worn by Salve security officers.
When Salve Regina University security officers attended the Rhode Island College and University Public Safety Training Academy, many left wanting the more professional look that the officers from other universities sport.
“For years every group would come in and talk about uniforms,” said John Mixter, the director of safety and security. After about 10 years the Salve security officers finally got their wish and are now wearing a new and improved uniform. According to Mixter, the last group of officers who proposed the idea of getting new uniforms really showed commitment to the project and took the time necessary to do the research and meet all the criteria requested by the administration on the issue. In order to get new uniforms, the officers needed to do the work on their own time, the uniform choice needed to have Mixter’s approval and it could not exceed the budget allotted for it. The uniforms also had to be approved by the majority of the 15 officers. After the security department reached a decision, the idea was taken to student life and finally to the president of the university. “Everything just fell into place,” said Mixter. The security department used to rent uniforms, now officers own a name brand uniform and according to Mixter the quality is the same as an officer in any other city or town. “What we rented was OK, but what we own is a quality uniform,” said Mixter. Since the officers started wearing the new uniforms in January, Mixter said that he has received many compliments on them and that he doesn’t see the need for change in the near future. Mixter believes that the new uniforms have struck a balance between the more recognizable look of an officer and the business look of the old uniforms. Although the approval of the new uniform wasn’t unanimous among officers, it was met by the good majority according to Mixter. “I think they are very comfortable and very professional looking,” said Mark Rabitor, Salve Regina’s Security Office Administrative Coordinator.
