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The long arm of the law has something new up its sleeve — incorporating military camo patterns into tactical apparel, including the newest ACU digital patterns and the even newer MultiCam camo pattern.

Still, law enforcement and tactical apparel is still mostly a matter of black and blue.

Since 9/11, the law enforcement community has grown substantially in size, and much attention has been given to improvements and enhancements to their uniform apparel, equipment, protective gear and footwear.

As law enforcement agencies add specialized task forces to their ranks, needs and requirements change depending on suitability to task, affecting the design and construction of tactical apparel.

The convergence of the military and law enforcement in apparel, equipment, weaponry and tactics has brought the army/navy store into play as a relevant supplier to law enforcement and security entities for many of the items needed by departments and individuals in the field.

The arrival of the law enforcement fulfillment market comes at a good time for the army/navy market, as genuine military surplus becomes harder to find and many stores are left wondering what to sell for an encore.

The specialized requirements of the law enforcement community are a double-edged sword for the army/navy retailer, though.

On one hand, there is more profitability and a growing marketplace. However, there is more technical expertise required and a well entrenched competitive base that has the advantage of operating in an environment in which longevity and reputation are key selling points.

Whether it's selling to the individual police officer or to an entire department, the army/navy retailer must establish his business as a committed purveyor of quality goods, competing on price and follow up service as well.

A legitimate SHOT

Over the past few years, suppliers firmly entrenched in the army/navy market have established a foothold in the law enforcement market partly through participation in the annual SHOT Show. The SHOT Show, although centered around shooting sports equipment, apparel and gear, has become an adopted home for law enforcement product suppliers, and the SHOT Show now features a dedicated law enforcement pavillion as a result.

Fortunately for the army/navy retailer, many of the most popular supplier firms that they have come to know and trust for military-related goods are now fully vested suppliers of law enforcement apparel and other goods.

Companies such as Atlanco and Propper have already made great inroads into the law enforcement market by developing, independently of their military lines, comprehensive and professional quality law enforcement product lines.