Westmoreland Co. Officials Rethink Designer Sunglasses Purchase For Sheriff's Deputies
GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- Some Westmoreland County sheriff's deputies will be sporting some stylish shades this year.
Each year, each deputy is given $450 to spend on uniform needs.
They have to choose the items from a list that is negotiated by the county and a uniform company.
This year, a pair of Team USA Flak Jacket XLJ Oakley sunglasses made the list. They retail for $160 on the Oakley website, but were offered to deputies at $112 a pair.
They replaced $65 Wiley shades that were listed last year.
Only 14 deputies purchased the shades.
The county controller and commissioners approved the uniform contract, but when they realized that the sunglasses were on the list, decided it may be a little extravagant.
The controller says no one did anything wrong, but he will ask that no sunglasses be on the list next year.
"I'm all for saving taxpayer dollars, but I'm also for officer safety and public safety," said Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held. "I think it's a balance between the two. If we can get sunglasses at a cheaper price that have the same shatterproof technology that these do, and it'll protect their eyes just as well, I'm all for it. But at the same time, I want to make sure my deputies' eyes are safe."
The glasses on the list generally have quality lenses that are virtually shatterproof and also protect the deputies from the sun.
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