Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Ohio Troopers File Grievance Over Boots

The Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers' union has filed a grievance with the agency to halt the adoption of a new chukka-style duty boot for patrol troopers that the union says creates an unsafe working condition.

August 12, 2013
Ohio Troopers File Grievance Over Boots

Photo via OSTA/Facebook.

1 min to read


The Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers' union has filed a grievance with the agency to halt the adoption of a new chukka-style duty boot for patrol troopers that the union says creates an unsafe working condition.

The Ohio State Troopers Association (OTSA) hopes to halt the planned Nov. 1 roll-out of the boot. The union says the buckle-and-strap boot known as a buckle chukka would replace a leather athletic-style lace-up chukka favored by troopers, reports the Columbus Dispatch.

Ad Loading...

An agency spokeswoman said discussions will continue with the patrol union before an arbitrator hears the grievance.

"It's management's right to determine the equipment troopers will wear while on duty," Lt. Ann Ralston told the Columbus Dispatch. "At the same time, we would never compromise officer safety."

The association has been posting photos and a video of the boot on its Facebook page, arguing "how easy it is to step out of the shoe." A Monday post with a photo called the footwear inappropriate for road troopers.

"Our trooper (two actually) sent this in with the note that they by the time they arrive at post from their homes, the buckle chukka has disengaged the tongue of the shoe," the post read. "The point is obvious and 'officer safety' drives the need to change the current policy that requires wearing this shoe for road patrol."

More Patrol

POLICE Magazine graphic featuring a close-up of a tick on human skin with the headline “Tiny Creature, Big Threat” and subtitle “What officers need to know about ticks and alpha-gal syndrome.”
Patrol•November 4, 2026

The Threat That Fits Under Your Fingernail

What cops need to know about alpha-gal, the tick-borne allergy that can turn an ordinary exposure into a problem weeks or months later.

Read More →
Bradenton, Florida, Police Department’s September 2026 Officers of the Month: Sergeant Andres Perez and Officers Rosey Bautista, Michael Wall, and Alexandra Fallacaro, pictured in uniform beside American flags.
Patrol•October 30, 2026

NLEOMF Honors September 2026 Officers of the Month

Four Bradenton Police Department officers were selected as the NLEOMF Officers of the Month for September 2026 for a nighttime water rescue.

Read More →
BLACKHAWK! Mini EDC multitools displayed in tan and black, showing open pliers, knives, and other tools alongside their folded configurations against a textured gray background with the BLACKHAWK! logo.
Patrol•October 29, 2026

Blackhawk Debuts Mini EDC Pocket Multi-Tool

The Blackhawk Mini EDC Pocket Multi-Tool stows easily in pants pockets thanks to a sturdy stainless steel pocket clip and incorporates several essential/emergency tools into a single, high-mobility unit.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Team Wendy EXFIL Endurance ballistic helmet in olive green with tactical rails and chin strap, displayed alongside the Team Wendy logo and product headline against a textured black-and-gray background.
Patrol•October 23, 2026

Team Wendy Introduces the EXFIL Endurance Ballistic Helmet, Engineered to Reduce the Burden of Extended Wear

Team Wendy has launched its EXFIL Endurance, a new lightweight ballistic helmet engineered to deliver protection, comfort, and fit during demanding, extended operations.

Read More →
Collage featuring paramedics, firefighters, police officers, and emergency vehicles surrounding the First Responders Children’s Foundation logo, highlighting the organization’s support for families of first responders.
Patrol•October 22, 2026

The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC

First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.

Read More →
Streamlight promotional graphic showcasing four lighting products: TLR-3X, PolyTac 1X, ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X, and ProTac Rail Mount VIR Pro, displayed against an orange and black background with the Streamlight logo.
Patrol•October 22, 2026

Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026

Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III featuring a tripod-mounted LED work light and close-up product view, with a badge recognizing it as the 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year winner.
Patrol•October 15, 2026

Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award

Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.

Read More →
Hands insert an Adept Armor protective plate into a camouflage tactical plate carrier, demonstrating how the armor plate fits inside the vest.
Patrol•September 17, 2026

Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates

Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.

Read More →
Open Benchmade folding knife with a bronze-colored blade, textured dark handle, and braided lanyard resting on weathered wooden boards.
Patrol•by Wayne Parham•September 17, 2026

POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout

The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Officer of the Month graphic honoring Deputy Lorne Juday of the Osceola County, Michigan, Sheriff’s Office for July 2026, featuring a portrait of Juday in uniform.
Patrol•September 17, 2026

NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month

NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.

Read More →