There will be no tumbleweed showdowns outside of saloons on Main street or any town drunks tossed in the hoosegow, but Chateauguay’s 120-officer police force is otherwise going whole hog in its Wild West stylings: until further notice officers will be clad in cowboy outfits as an expression of their disenchantment with proposed pension reforms.
The police brotherhood slapped $25,000 cash on the barrelhead for cowboy hats, boots, black jeans and stars that all officers will wearing on duty.
Chateauguay Police Brotherhood chief Francois Lemay told CTV Montreal Friday that unlike other sartorial police protests, which have seen other forces sporting multi-colored pants, the cowboy look is not intended to have any element of clownishness or irony.
The outfits even fit the bill of a uniform, in that all officers will be sporting the same look.
“Cowboys live with the heart,” he said. “And there’s a lot of country people and cowboys even in Quebec. For us it’s not a disguise.”
Lemay said that previous initiatives such as a series of summertime barbecues came up a day late and a dollar short, failing to accomplish much to bring attention to the plight of the Chateauguay officers.
Locals, he claims, are going hog wild over the look. “It’s incredible the positive reaction we have had,” he said.
He conceded, however, that the cowboy boots might have to be replaced with more sensible footwear on cold winter days.
Chateauguay police brass did not issue a statement concerning the new gear but the Quebec Federation of Municipal Police is not swooning in admiration, as indicated in a statement they issued Friday.
“The use of pressure tactics is to influence decision makers while maintaining the integrity of our service. We believe by wearing these sheriff uniforms, the Chateauguay police force cannot guarantee this fundamental objective."
