New Uniforms, New Vehicle Design, New Attitude

It's "awesome."

That's how several members of the described not only their brand new, all-black uniforms, but also the two new Dodge Chargers and new redesign the department unveiled this week.

Public Safety Director Michael P. King, Lt. Tim Young, Sgt. William Obuchowski and several members of the police department showed off what Young is calling their "culture change."

"It's time," Young said. "It's more progressive. Now is the time to start."

A true team effort, everything from the vehicle's redesign to the color of the uniforms was decided by the department. A few officers brought the idea to King, who .

"A lot of new people come in and want to make changes. I didn't want to do some major change," King said. "It became really obvious this is something they wanted."

So, King worked hard on the budget to save costs while department members designed a new logo and researched cars and uniforms. Seven police cars were auctioned off for about $15,000, helping to fund the project.

The cost totals around $20,000, with no effect on the taxpayer.

"I can't say enough about the design," King said. "Change comes so much easier when the officers are a part of it."

King credits Obuchowski, and officers , Timothy Obuchowski, Thomas Lillagore Jr., Michael Burns Jr., and Dennis Vittese as leaders in this effort.

As of this week, the department has two new Dodge Chargers on the road boasting the new redesign—"Cinnaminson Police" in yellow and black, with swipes of yellow and black. The Chargers' bodies are gray. 

"I love these cars," said Burns, an 18-year veteran. "I think they look awesome."

Two of the trucks have the redesign as well, including the and Chuck the German Shepherd. 

Five total Charger patrol cars will be bought this year and funded over the next three years. The remaining Crown Victorias pending replacement will not be re-marked as it would not be cost effective, King said. 

The rest of the Fords won't get the redesign just yet; costs need be found for that. The three remaining trucks will get the new design.

The all-black uniforms have a yellow strip down the pant leg and feature the department's new logo on their sleeves.

"They were built by them and carried out by them," King said of the uniforms and officers.

Burns said because of this new change, he sees a boost in morale among the department.

"Morale is better," he said. "The director has done a phenomenal job. He has an open-door policy. We can talk to him about anything."

Lillagore agreed, calling the uniforms and cars a "significant change."

"We lost a lot of people to layoffs and retirements two years ago," he said. "It did a lot to lower morale. But, with this and our director, it's building us back up again." 

Lillagore Jr. is the son of , about seven years before his son joined the department.

"Oh man," Lillagore said. "He would have loved this."