Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The union for Ohio troopers says new shoes being issued to them by the State Highway Patrol are unsafe.
The footwear, a type of short boot, is in a buckle-and-strap style instead of the lace-up style many troopers prefer.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that troopers are complaining the shoes can cause slips and aren’t secure enough when officers run or tussle with people.
Troopers are being required to begin wearing the shoes by Nov. 1. The Ohio State Troopers Association and several officers have filed grievances.
The Highway Patrol says safety was never an issue when similar shoes were used in the past. The agency says it’s willing to discuss the issue, however, instead of waiting for an arbitrator to consider the grievances in a potentially length process.
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