Why do police officers look like military soldiers?

Question

This is USA that I'm referring to. It seems that over the course of several years they have gone from long pants that cover the calf, shiny dress shoes, baton, revolver, cuffs to pants in military style boots, automatic handguns, mace, and tasers. Haircuts have gone from neat and trim to marine corps style.

Answer 1

Before the Peelers ( Robert Peel the inventor of the Police) there was very little law and order except that carried out by the military or in some cases the King or Queens soldiers ( redcoats).
London Police ( other than the security and SWAT teams) dont even carry guns and certainly do not look very military.
But nonetheless replaces a military unit that previously was responsible for arrest restraint and execution.

Police in Spain ( Guardia Civil) is a military style police force ( Civil Guard) The uniform of police have developed a more military look since the taking up of arms, wearing handcuffs and truncheons etc on their belts.

If you visit places like Indonesia, Philpines and some Asian coiuntries etc you are dealing with a military and they have less jusutice and human rights in their system than any country having a police force separate from the military that I know of.

No matter what, it is all an image to impart a show of authority

Answer 2

Part of it is utility because the nice, pretty uniforms don't work real well when you do rough & tumble things. The trend started with SWAT teams, and then spread to other components of law enforcement.
Commercial vehicle inspectors for the state police and locals spend all day crawling around, over, under big trucks and regular uniforms weren't practical.
I personally think some of the trend has gone too far, with some departments actually going to polo shirts, badges that are just patches, and 5.11 tactical pants.
I was most proud when I was on the Harley at work, with spit polished knee length leather boots, riding breeches and leather jacket. But, I guess that's kind of a personal preference thing.
Just for trivia, the car cops would gripe about working in 100 degree heat in their air conditioned cars, I would be on the bike in a bullet proof vest and all the other stuff and just dying... I'd tell them to suck it up and quit whining.....
BTW I wore my hair short because an hour in that helmet and your hair would be soaking wet and disguisting when it wasn't cut short.

Answer 3

Simple..practicality. Police like soldiers still have dress uniforms but regular duties shined dress shoes,pressed pants and collars are impractical. As far as equipment like semiautos,mace,and tasers-they use them for the same reason people use computers instead of typewriters,they're newer, better,more efficient means to complete a mission.

Answer 4

Many of the police officers you see DID do military service. After that they went into Law Enforcement. I thought this was common knowledge.

Answer 5

The uniforms just reflect the power and the force. They have to reflect fear because they are the army of the city. They would be a liitle scary but this is their job....so they can prevent the crime!
Its a matter of psychology...

Answer 6

All the law ppl i.e. policeman, soldiers, Swat Team looks the same to me as all are managing the same thing.

Answer 7

law enforcement is a paramilitary institution; Uniforms give the wearers a sense of camaraderie and identity

Answer 8

Just lucky I guess, of course they're both uniform services so that could be part of it.

Answer 9

They wear uniforms to instil discipline and to identify themselves.

Answer 10

I'm not sure where you're at that you see cops that look like military. Most cops you see have belly's From all the donuts they eat. And I don't recall seeing belly's on our military.