public opinion on police uniform please.....?

Question

as a member of the metropolitan police, and great sounds among my colleagues of "how uncomfortable this shirt is" or "why do we have to wear our tit helmets (custodian) sarge? cant we wear our flatcaps" being omongst my favourites, what does average joe bloggs public think???
would you be happy to see your local bobby or pcso in a polo shirt and cargo pants (far more practical) or is tradition best???
OFFICERS - am i the only one who feels that unform needs to change???

Answer 1

I think there are far more important things to change about our law emforcement officers then just their uniforms..

Answer 2

Where I live the Beat Managers and PCSOs can wear their cargo pants and polo shirts. Sometimes their more formal wear is best suited for the job and other times a more casual approach is needed. I was working with a Beat Manager recently and he wore plain clothes for the job we were doing but his counterpart in another beat wore full uniform. Perhaps some forces let the officers choose - round here they're just glad to see our boys & girls on the beat.

Answer 3

I've long felt that the custodian helmet was the coolest part of British police kit, but its practical advantage may be best when the weather is very bad. Were I setting policy on this, as a rule of thumb it would be an option when you're wearing an ironed shirt or in foul weather. It makes you look bigger, imo. And if made with modern material eg. kevlar inside it could be lighter, more protective, and more comfortable.

Flat caps (combination cover) in blue with battenberg band should be standard issue. White (traffic) and yellow (rain) outers could be attached as needed.

Cargo pants or at least LAPD-pattern uniform pants with thigh pockets should have been official as of a long time ago.

Any uniform involving a polo shirt (and I would recommend that any uniform polo shirt be personalized with title and last name) would go with a trucker or ball cap. The Australians developed caps with a battenberg stripe some time ago that would be easy to restrict to qualified individuals.

Answer 4

Well, I'm not in the force, but, yeah, I think a white polo shirt would be acceptable. Not necessarily cargo pants, you don't want to stray too far from a uniform, but something flexible, and practical. And, yes, its about time the traditional helmet was ditched. Yeah, the flat caps are great, but how about the hard-hat type baseball caps? I think they would look pretty good. I think a more casual uniform would help to make the police seem more approachable!!

Answer 5

As a pro- active officer I believe that all hats are out dated. Hats with any shiny devices are target. hats with bills or brims can take away peripheral vision. Rules that cause punishment to officers who do not wear hats can make a reaction slower...Because that officer must put on his hat before getting out of the vehicle, making contact with a subject, etc... Polo shirts are somewhat practical in warmer climates. However lack pockets. BDU (cargo) pants are a great alternative to conventional trousers. They have extra pockets, more room, and to many they look better. I would like to see a department go BDU top and bottom in navy or black. Being ex military I know that they provide comfort in many climates and ample cargo space. The shirts can be tucked in if need be. I know that many municipalities have stayed away form this because it looks to "military". However, cost, comfort, cargo should outweigh the "belief".

Answer 6

yeah you should have a working dress, and a smart uniform for formal occasions, the working dress could be a polo shirt and cargo's as these are far more practical, i would have no issues with the plod wearing them i think the force needs bringing up to date, i suggest getting hold of them yourself and wearing them into the nick and see what type of reaction you get from the sarge

Answer 7

no you should be dressed in comfortable clothes but there again how could your suppa duppa policeman fresh from college enforce law as he has no peoples skills and out of uniform looks a proper idiot a joke even in uniform some policemen look as if they haven't shaving yet and are a joke a policeman should have an air of authority about them sorry but today some and i stipulate some policemen look as if they were bullied at school and are back to reek vengeance on society respect for a policeman is gone as there are so many jokes walking round in a uniform thinking they are supermen and can do or say as they wish it is a shame for the good cop they give you a bad image and name Dave

Answer 8

The days of an authoritarian figure are long past. Most departments are pushing towards community policing, where you have more casual contact with the public.

The uniforms now are uncomfortable, and incredibly expensive. I see nothing wrong with an ironed pair of BDU's and a professional looking polo. It isn't the uniform so much as the person in the uniform that displays authority.

Answer 9

NO, we (taxpayers) are not approving the expense of new uniforms.

How comfortable the shirt is ... should have been considered prior to accepting the job.

I don't like wearing a suit when it's required but I do wear one when required because I get a paycheck.

I expect to be able to identify an officer and a police car. It should not look too much like a civilian. There is too much imitation going on already . Citizens are already afraid to pull over. Not sure if you will be stopped by a "real cop " OR if that "real cop" is having a good or bad day and feels like beating on a citizen.

Answer 10

to be honest it annoys me when i see an officer not wearing his/ her tie - clip on or not. you are supposed to be figures of respect so put your ties on. Also i think the tit hats have to stay, they are what identify you and are a classic hallmark of a british cop - being in the met you should know tourists love it. it could be changed though, i saw some special unit officers (armed response?) dressed in all black uniforms with sort of combat trousers and styled ones of those stab vest things which looked damn cool i think - like they were the bad guys in james bond or something.

Answer 11

i think the uniform albeit old fashioned/uncomfortable shouldn't be changed. I have the greatest respect for the police and am teaching my children to respect them to and i believe wearing a uniform such as your makes you carry yourself properly and command respect from the public. I know this isn't always the case but they all know where they would go in trouble.