My answer is: the chief demands you wear the official hat at ALL TIMES. He's an ex-marine and likes all uniform officers to be uniform. Don't get caught with your hat off at a crime scene if the media is present or a photo is printed in the morning paper. You will be reprimanded. No lie! I've been there and been reprimanded. Had a lieutenant tell me to put on my hat when I was at the city gas pumps (outside downtown) putting gas into my cruiser, around 10:30 p.m. No one could see me. The area is deserted at night. You can carry a badge, carry a gun, and you damn well better not be caught without a hat. Of course, my department has no supervisors with brass-balls to defend the working street officer from the desk brass (Lt. rank up), including the chief.