Alberta RCMP will ditch the grey uniform shirts for navy starting Aug. 15. The switch is a modernization effort, explained Corp. Mathew Howell. Mounties wear another shirt beneath the grey uniform shirt. The two have been integrated in the blue style. “The material itself is made in a way that is meant to be more durable, but also a lot easier to wear. For example, the bottom portion – the portion that’s normally under our vest – is self-wicking, so it’s going to be a lot more breathable and just more comfortable for officers to wear. And the top part is made of a material that’s more tear resistant, as well,” Howell told CTV News Edmonton. Alberta RCMP is informing the public of the upcoming change because until all detachments receive the new uniforms, Mounties may be seen wearing either the old grey or new blue uniform shirts. Members of the public can request an officer for identification or call a local detachment or 310-RCMP to confirm a Mountie’s presence in an area. The national police service is also in the middle of updating the look of its vehicles. Some jurisdictions have already been introduced to the new style, which features a black body with white doors. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg