|
Uniform of the British Police
Give or take some minor variations, the police forces of Britain wear very similar uniforms. the base colour is either a very dark blue or black.
Formal uniform consists of an open necked tunic and trousers or skirt, worn with a white shirt and black tie (clip-on, so it cannot be used to strangle the wearer). In some forces, female officers wear a black and white checked cravat instead of a tie. Officers of the rank of Sergeant and above wear rank badges on their epaulettes, while constables and Sergeants also wear “collar numbers” on them.
This was everyday working uniform up until the 1990’s, but is rarely seen these days except on formal occasions. dress for today retains the shirt, with tie or cravat, and trousers, worn with a jersey or fleece. Some forces use combat trousers and boots. Officers also frequently wear reflective waterproof jackets, which have replaced the old cloaks, and most wear body armour when on duty.
Basic headgear is a peaked cap for men, and a round bowler style hat for women, each with a black and white diced band.
On foot duty, male constables outside Scotland wear the more familiar conical custodian helmet.
Uniform History
The first uniform, which was a lighter blue than at present, was a high collared tailcoat worn with white trousers in the summer.
The headgear was a hardened top hat, which served the dual purpose of protecting the officers from blows to the head and allowing him to use it as a step to climb or see over walls.
The tailcoat was later replaced by a tunic and the helmet by the custodian helmet. The helmet was made of cork and was faced with fabric. The design varied slightly between forces, some were topped with a boss, others had a helmet that incorporated a ridge or crest terminating above the badge, while others had a short spike , sometimes topped with a ball.
Female officers uniforms have changed quite a lot as they have tended to reflect current fashions. Tunic style, skirt length and headgear have varied by period and force. By the late 1980’s, female working uniform was virtually identical to male, except for headgear and sometimes neckwear.
|
