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If the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is to be believed, it’s safe to say that the police market can be relied on long-term. “Job opportunities in most local police departments will be favorable for qualified individuals, whereas competition is expected for jobs in state and federal agencies,” according to BLS. “Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow 10% over the 2008–18 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Population growth is the main source of demand for police services.”

Well, that and upticks in crime, which have reportedly begun to manifest themselves in cities across the U.S. That being said, the FBI’s latest Uniform Crime Statistics, for the first six months of 2009, show a 4.4% decline from a year earlier. Whether the bureau has the same thing to say about the second half of last year remains to be seen; those statistics are scheduled to be issued in late June.

The current BLS outlook report says there will be more competition for jobs in federal and state law enforcement agencies than for jobs in local agencies. “Bilingual applicants with a bachelor’s degree and several years of law enforcement or military experience, especially investigative experience, will have the best opportunities in federal agencies,” BLS says.

In the meantime, serving law enforcement personnel means keeping up with product introductions. Here’s a rundown of what some of the major suppliers of police apparel and footwear have come up with in recent months, listed by company in alphabetical order:

5.11, Inc.: One of the leading suppliers of law enforcement and tactical apparel, the company recently introduced their Tactical Covert Cargo Pants. Made from peached cotton canvas and available in four colors; Coyote, OD, Khaki and Tundra, the Covert pants feature large covert cargo pockets on both legs capable of carrying AR15/M4 ammunition magazines, one traditional and a second zippered pocket that can carry two pistol mags per pocket, double and triple stitch construction, bartacks in high stress areas, a self-adjusting comfort waistband and Cordura® lining in select areas. The Covert Cargo pants are designed for comfort, durability and fit.

Also new from 5.11 are the Tactical Trainer six inch boots, combining the the characteristics of a true tactical boot with the styling of a lightweight hiking boot. It features a suede upper with mesh panels for increased breathability, a Vibram® outsole and an abrasion resistant toe.

Altama Boot: Taking a page from its experience in developing hot-weather boots for the military, Altama has produced three series of tactical footwear said to incorporate some of the most technical and high-end materials on the market. The LITESpeed, EXOSpeed II and Ortho-TacX Series are intended to reduce fatigue and enhancing on-the-job performance. The sole designs are designed for law enforcement and military tactical applications.

Bates Footwear: At the 2010 SHOT Show, Bates launched its C3 boot, the three Cs in this case signifying Cross Channel Circulation, a patented technology devised to improve breathability. As the wearer moves about, air is forced through the patented cross channel construction, according to Bates. The boot also features a leather- and 1680-Denier-nylon upper, a cushioned EVA midsole and a moisture wicking lining that manages perspiration.

Propper International: The new Propper I.C.E. Performance Polo, with the manufacturer’s Integrated Cooling Effect technology, is said to depart from traditional wicking by increasing the fiber’s surface area with a six-channel design. This draws moisture away from the skin and dries 125% faster than cotton and 30% faster than traditional polyester, according to Propper.

The polo is made with made with 94% polyester and 6% spandex, and incorporates functional features such as hidden buttons located under the collar for a pro-to-casual look, mic clips on both shoulders and a sunglass clip under the front buttons, gusseted mesh underarms for increased ventilation and range of motion, a longer tail that keeps the shirt tucked in and a tagless label in the collar.

Also new from Propper is the Light Tactical Pant, which the company says is intended for use either in active performance or just another day at the desk. It’s made from fade resistant 65% polyester/35% cotton ripstop fabric with a DuPont Teflon coating to repel liquids and stains. The pant comes with a black nylon duty belt, a secure wallet pocket-in-a-pocket, a double coin/utility pocket, and six colors including a new grey color.