Compulsory Berets for US Sheriffs

An iconic headgear will disappear from many US towns and rural areas over the next 12 months, with Congress having passed the bill on the ban of the traditional sheriff's hat by 31 March, 2014. 

Although many US citizens see the large brimmed western hat as an important piece of tradition for US sheriffs, the impracticality of the Stetson has to give way to the much more sensible beret as a headgear. Some exceptions are made for counties that prefer the peaked flat cap (in my opinion a just-as-unpractical hat...), but trials in four states showed an (unexpected) overwhelming enthusiasm for the new piece of uniform.

As Sheriff Wayne D. O'moor of the Conzales County Sheriff Office puts it: "we ain't no ridin' no horses no more and with vehicles gettin' smaller and smaller, the darn things are just too hard to keep a wearin'".

In 12.5", the berets offer good protection from sun and weather, while not obstructing sight in emergency situations. Individual sheriff counties are allowed to continue using their specific sheriff's badges on the new headgear. 

The trial berets are Spanish made, but with an expected demand of 14,400 berets annually, Spanish manufacturer Boinas Elosegui set up a factory on the outskirts of San Antonio, TX and production is now in full swing. 
Chief Logistics Jason Ester of the Washington Association of Sheriff's and Police Chiefs says "if it's good enough for the French, it must be good enough for us".