Posted on 06/22/2002 2:22:48 AM PDT by yankeedame
Saturday, 22 June, 2002, 04:04 GMT 05:04 UK
New police uniform unveiled
The uniforms are designed to be more comfortable
A new uniform for police officers in England and Wales has been unveiled. The Suffolk force will be the first to don the new black trousers, military style blue jumper and high visibility lightweight yellow jacket in August.
It will replace the traditional black, silver-buttoned tunic currently worn by officers.
Ranks above superintendent, however, will not have to sport the new look, but will remain in tunics.
The traditional tunic will be a thing of the past for most officers
The new uniform will eventually be adopted by the other forces in England and Wales.
It is said to be more comfortable and better-suited to the demands of modern policing.
A Suffolk Police spokesman said: "The most significant change is the abandonment of the traditional black tunic in favour of a high-visibility yellow coat."
It was announced in April that police helmets would be made shorter by up to four inches.
Policemen and women had criticised the 12-inch tall traditional design, which dates back to 1863, for being too wobbly, falling off too easily and not offering sufficient protection.
The uniform designed for new the Metropolitan Police's Community Support Officers is also likely to be changed because it makes them look too much like real police officers.
When the uniform was unveiled last month, police officers said the public would have difficulty telling the difference between them and the new Community Support Officers (CSOs).
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens said he would look at whether their blue and white chequered hat bands were too similar to those worn by constables.
<img src="http://www.something.com/image.jpg">
The uniforms are designed to be more comfortable
(That green plastic thingy sure looks comfortable to me..... Not!)
The traditional tunic will be a thing of the past for most officers.
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