Ohio troopers don't like their new shoes

8/9/2013

COLUMBUS — Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers don’t like their new footwear.

The trooper’s union says the new shoes being issued to troopers are slick — and not in a good way. Officers say they can lead to slips and falls, and can come off too easily while chasing and wrestling with suspects.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that their union has filed grievances accusing the patrol of creating unsafe working conditions.

The union accuses leadership of valuing appearance over safety in refusing to back off its choice of a buckle-and-strap shoe to replace the “athletic” lace-up shoes.

Spokeswoman Lt. Anne Ralston says the patrol is willing to continue discussing the shoes rather than wait for an arbitrator to hear the grievance.