NATCHEZ — Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies still plan to host a rodeo this spring, but deputies are ditching the western look.

Deputies officially switched uniforms Friday, leaving behind the familiar tan denim jeans and cowboy hats and boots for Rocky Boots, Tru-Spec Professional Pants and vented button-down shirts.

The change was both symbolic and practical, Sheriff Travis Patton said.

“The uniforms prior to this administration were cowboy boots and Wranglers — jeans — and it is important for you to present yourself in a professional manner when you are dealing with people, so they will in return respect the authority you are trying to portray,” he said.

“We didn’t feel that attire was appropriate tactically or professionally for our deputies to wear. We wanted our guys and ladies to look more professional while working in their capacities.”

The old uniform, “definitely wasn’t comfortable, either,” Patten said. “If you try to chase somebody in cowboy boots, imagine how your toes are going to feel afterward.”

The pants patrol deputies will wear have six hidden pockets, while jailers will wear a cargo-style pant. Patten said the officers will also have a Class A uniform for important or formal functions that is “not as tactical, but it looks extremely professional.

“Your presentation is important to people, and they take you more seriously when you dress the part,” he said.

In addition to his own concerns about the old uniforms, Patten said the community had raised “a lot of public outcry for us to get rid of those old uniforms.

“It was probably the No. 2 thing the citizens of Adams County asked us to do, other than some personnel they wanted to see moved on. They asked us please put our deputies back in uniforms, something that looks professional.”

Patten said the ACSO spent approximately $14,000 on the change, money he said was included in the budget he inherited from the past county budgeting cycle when he took office.

The budget included $40,000 for uniforms for deputies and $10,000 for uniforms in the jail, he said.

The Adams County rodeo will be May 27 and 28.