One long-serving sheriff in the US state of Wyoming has resigned after his county police department banned the use of cowboy boots and hats.

70-year-old Gene Bryson, who has worked in the county of Sublette for 28 years, gave his reasons to a local new outlet:

"When you take away my individuality, I don't want to stay."

The ban is due to new County Sheriff Stephen Haskell, who said that "all law enforcement is supposed to be professional and look the same" and that officers would be required to wear black trousers and boots, a tan shirt and a black cap.

Haskell believes that cowboy boots are unsafe on ice and hats risk blowing away in strong winds.

Bryson says his retirement gives him time to focus on his  gun shop in the town of Marbleton.