why are police uniforms checkered black and white?

Question

why and when did the police start using black and white checkered uniforms

Answer 1

They used to be all white but found a problem in snowstorms!

Answer 2

Difficult to pin down when as some small American forces used them years back. I think the UK started using checked hat bands in the early sixties.

The reason is that so many people wear similar uniforms. Indeed some even buy exactly the same uniforms from the same supplier. Some of these are semi ligitimate, like police parking wardens, some security officers working for the government etc. The rest just want to look like the police.

The checkered band makes them stand out as police officers with police powers and not a look a like with none.

Quite a few people customise their vehicles to look like police vehicles.

The law relating to impersonating a police officer is far to loose and it is time the government either tightened the law considerably or drafted new law to ensure police officers can be readily identified and no one can copy their uniform or vehicle liveries.

Answer 3

It's because the police force was established by freemasons originally and is still being run by freemasons. They believe in opposites and balance. For example Yin & Yang, up & down etc. The black and white represents the two polar ends in a colourful sense. That's why you will always see a black and white chequered floor in freemasonry halls and temples. It's basically symbolism that they understand but the general public doesn't. It's saying 'We own & control the police and we're telling you, you're just too stupid to figure it out'. Que laughter from those involved!

Answer 4

In 1932, shortly after he took office as Chief Constable of Glasgow, Sir Percy Sillitoe arranged for black and white diced cap bands to be tested by the Mounted Branch and by August of that year he deemed the test a success, ordering that all caps should bear the distinctive cap-band.


Sir Percy, in summarizing the introduction of the chequered band, wrote: -

"Another small innovation which was, I think, welcomed, was the fitting of the blue-and-white diced bands around the peaked caps of the police officers. Frequently in the past motorists had refused to stop on country roads when they were signalled to do so after dark by an unidentifiable figure in cape and cap – and as a motorist myself I cordially sympathized with them, for there was no way at all of knowing if one was being halted by a bona fide policeman or a hold-up man, and one certainly did not wish to risk stopping to find out. White capes seemed impractical, and white caps would not have been sufficiently distinctive. But the ‘diced band’ of the uniform of the Brigade of Guards would be unmistakable and seemed ideal, so I borrowed it for my men and it became known as Sillitoe’s Tartan. Since then all the Scottish police forces have adopted it."

It was not long before all Scottish Police forces were using the diced cap-band and it remained distinctively Scottish until 1974 when the remainder of UK Police forces adopted it.

Answer 5

Angel............. Just stopped laughing.
Pretty much what David M said. The chequered black and white can only be used by the Police. Other companies, such as security guards cannot have checquered balck and white (or blue and white come to that). When it started, no idea.

Answer 6

Someone came up with it as a standard, The uniform color can change depending on the area you live. For example grey or blue. I believe they are blue where I live. Also, black clothing is seen as more intimidating.

Answer 7

my first visit to Ediburgh involved a contact with a police officer, whom I thought was a local guard, conductor or icecream seller. being a copper my self we had a laugh at our reactions to evolving uniforms.

Answer 8

At least you're seeing police instead of elephants, but cut back on whatever your doing anyway.

Answer 9

Black And White Checks

Answer 10

Because they'd look wierd with yellow polka dots.