Quote:
Originally Posted by Stealth22
I guess what I'm trying to say is...does it really matter?  |
Absolutely. And I say that as someone who has made a career of understanding and pairing colors for my clients.
Why do they matter? Let me go on a rant….
1. Colors can, and often should, serve a purpose. They allow us to quickly scan and isolate important elements, and impart meaning. When you look for a taxi, you scan for a yellow car. When you look to close a browser window, you look for the red button. When you need to show a warning of some sort, you tend to use orange.
In terms of a public sector context, this utility is even more important, as color can aid citizens in terms of identification and appropriate action. When I hear a siren, and look in my mirror, it’s much easier to spot a red fire truck than a black fire truck. When I see a stopped yellow school bus, I know to watch out for kids. Public services are meant to be seen, and the police should be no different.
The reality is that blacks/greys cars tend to recede into the background, and in our world where every car is either silver, black, or white, they are harder to pick out. At night especially, these colors recede into the background. A police car should be like a lighthouse…it should be a beacon of safety and re-assurance. A black car with black wheels does the opposite of this. Instead of being seen, it hides in the shadows. The proverbial kid looking for help might not even seen your black cop car or black uniformed officer...or be intimidated enough to not seek the help.
Which brings me to my next point.
2. Every brand should utilize colors that encourage a desirable reaction. The reality is that whether you believe it or not, colors have meanings and evoke certain responses. They might not always be overt or obvious responses, but they can be powerful. Yellows tend to suggest happiness and energy, reds suggest passion and aggression etc. If you don’t believe me, just look at the world around you. There’s a reason why you go to a hospital and find colors on the walls that are meant to soothe. Theres a reason the corporate world loves blue, or why many environmental products are tied to greens. There’s a reason why brands like Coca Cola will spend millions ensuring protecting the exact color of their red. It's because color matters.
Black too comes with a lot of baggage. Now while a black car or uniform does not make a policeman evil or unapproachable, it certainly doesn’t invite people in either.
Personally, I’d much rather we play the positive aspects of policing than the negatives. In my experience, the best cops are the ones who want to be seen, are ok with being identified as cops, and who look to integrate themselves into society. That's why I think the police should have an easily identifiable and bright color scheme…like a bright blue or neon green. The should not only been seen, but be overt in their intention to
want to be seen.