We know that the Jocks have always been at the cutting edge of fashion.
In light of this, Jim Allen is the Inspector Gadget Policing Hero of the month.
Jim is the deputy head of corporate procurement at Strathclyde Police. They are celebrating one year of the new black ‘active baselayer’ top which they wear instead of white shirts and ties.
Jim suffers from the dangerous and irritating habit of listening to frontline officers.
“As soon as body armour became mandatory, we had to ask whether the original uniform was comfortable for a whole shift and it was quickly recognised that the answer was “NO”. The benefits of the layering concept have been realised”.
Jim; you may get eaten by midges, eat battered mars bars, get very cold and wet in winter and have a scary title, but you’re OK by me.
Note: probably the best thing about the new uniform is that the liberal elite hate it:
“Cllr Marilyne MacLaren says the new uniforms have a menacing look and has compared them with those worn by Nazi stormtroopers”.
(Marilyne - the British Police are sooooooo NOT stormtroopers - see PC Copperfields book for futher details!)
Well I’m not in the lieral elite and I hate it too. I’m a rural beat bobby who happens to think that looking conventionally smart with a shirt and tie actually mattery more than imitating robocop.
I would knaw off my left arm to get issued with that type of uniform. I still cannot understand why we still have to wear a crisply ironed shirt and a nice black tie, then cover it with body armour. Madness. Within minutes you are wet, starting to smell, uncomfortable and peed off.
Even worse is that my force will not allow ties off unless the CC authorises it, for periods of a week at a time. Result - front line officer directing traffic on warm April day, sweat running down your back, and a strangling tie making you gasp for breath. Don’t forget the florie on top of all this. Never mind, ties off for a few weeks in August if it gets really warm.
I used to like working in the summer…..
It doesn’t look even slightly more intimidating than the English uniform. What rot they’re talking. If any of the uniform looks intimidating it’s because they’re wearing body armour, carrying batons, very large handcuffs, CS spray and a terrifying amount of different forms to fill in. Whether the base shirt is a white shirt and tie or a black T-shirt doesn’t really make much difference compared to that, and if it’s better for the officers then I’m all for it.
Having seen my friend’s police issue shirts though, I suspect the real objection to the Scottish uniform might be that it costs more than 2p a garment.
Strathclyde were the orignal force in Scotland to try out the new uniform before they rolled it out across all their force. A couple of years later the Scottish national police uniform was rolled out with a couple of minor tweaks.
The black tops are much more practical, breathable and simply better than shirts. Not a single cop I’ve ever worked with has ever had a complaint from a member of the public (other than those read in newspapers) about the uniform and every cop I’ve spoken to prefers it to the old white shirts. It’s not perfect but it’s certainly an improvement, nice to see some common sense in the force!
Well there is no chance of our chief constable allowing us to wear a good practical uniform like this one.
He would rather we remain stuck in the past with a sweat soaked white cotton shirt, clip on tie and cheap crap trousers.
I doubt he is bothered while sat in his air conditioned ivory tower with his fresh coffee!!
Ok let me dispel a few truths and lies here!!! and bear with me……!
I’m a Scottish operational officer (Insp) who has been wearing this uniform for a year or so now and it has been a topic of much discussion among our troops . I will take each bit in turn
The black T shirts are its to be fair in general an improvement for everyday use by the guys and girls. They are light, reasonable smart, stretch quite well (much to the satisfaction of many a fish suppers cops gut!) and are much better to wear under the stab proof vest. Best of all though they are iron free!!! You simply lob them in the machine, wash remove and hang up. Job done, no iron, no creases. My wife (yes !! I dont do the washing!!) loves them. The bad news is that they still make you sweat under the stab vest but you dry out quicker. Also tests have shown if you wash them using fabric conditioner they lose there sweat disappation capability so beware!!!! They are actually cheaper than the white double 2 cotton shirts. One point - some females slightly large up top have apparently complained that whilst it can stretch it can be a little see through as a result. This came from another force mind you.
Next the Black fleece. Looks ok (when new!) has stupid reverse front pockets which are meant to stop cops putting their hands in their pocket but just bloody frustrate you! It has NO windproof qualities and like most fleeces when eventually wet, stays wet for a LONG time!! Our force was prior to issue of new uni one of the better forces for procuring equip. We had a great, well liked gortex style blouson jacket. Very smart, fully wind and rain proof, warm and practical. We were forced to hand this back (funny most seem to have disappeared before they could return them!!) because all forces had to be the same and as usual we had to go with what Scotland ‘best’ ie biggest!! force wanted. They as usual were way behind with equip so thought this was a great leap forward, To the most of us it was a giant leap back…..! We have heard rumours we might be getting the blousons back due to the number of complaints…..wont hold my breath!
Yellow reflective jacket. We again had an all singing and dancing one which was very comfortable, warm and breathable. Yet again in the interests of costs and Strathclyde wanting their way we got what they have, a useless piece of plastic junk not far away from what you can get in Ann Summers. We were told it was breathable, when asked how much, they said 9%!! It has drainage holes under the arm for sweat to run out! and if you were your short sleeve shirt only underneath and go out in it and sweat you will find you have black arms from the dye inside the sleeves of the jacket coming off on your skin…..!
The trousers. Are shambolic! Our force on receiving them found they have been designed for Oompa Loompa’s on growth hormone and clearly the designers had been watching Life on Mars as they were so flared they could have been used as Police ariel support as hand gliders. As such our Force refused to accept them from the supplier and they were all shipped back to Tawain or somewhere similar to be reshaped!! On return they are slightly better but still just the bog standard material with pockets strapped to the sides like combat trousers. They have stupid vents in the pockets that just catch on every table corner as you go past. Other more pratical options, much better material etc were trialled and preferred but yes you can guess, the most cheapest option was chosen!
Due to the level of complaints about the new uniform being cold and little or no rain protection ACPOS are reviewing it (again!!!) in the meantime we have all now been issued thin long sleeved fleece tops as a 2nd layer under our jacket or vest. They are better but we already had nice gortex lined black woolen jumpers which were very smart and most cops wore on a daily basis. As before we were told to return them and no longer allowed to be seen in them……!
We now have officers wearing their old uniforms under the new and our senior command know it. But they turn a blind eye and as long as they top layer is what is meant to be worn they wont do anything about it. Funnily whilst out and about lately we came across some local council bin men and we got to discussing the clothing. Turns out they have fully lined Gortex yellow reflective jackets, state of the art and rave about them! Nice to see our council tax is being used properly on someone!!
Dont get me wrong, it has been an improvement in parts but on many our Force has been ordered to take step backwards in what we give our troops. I have serious concerns on how long this equipement will last looking at its quality. When will our most senior officers who hold the purse strings finally learn YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! and whilst it might be ok for cops walking in the schemes of Glasgow or Edinburgh where most of the time its only exposed when they get out the car and walk to the tower block, Scotland is a BIG place and as most will know when up on holiday, can be wild wet and windy in places! One size doesnt fit all!!!
We want, the black T shirts! We want our blouson jackets back! We want our windproof jumpers back! We want a decent breathable, rain proof flourescent jacket, we want trousers that dont look like they were for Jimmy Crankie, fit, comfortable and practicle. Not much to ask in this modern age is……………..?????
I should point out also, we still have officers who wear the white shirt, ti and trousers. Officers in offices, our custody suite and public enquiry counter for example. Only frontline/operational officers wear it.
see the link…. They are not even close.
http://www.bytwerk.com/gpa/images/ob/ob4.jpg
Well I don’t understand why, in these cash- strapped times - police staff (I’m in comms) who don’t ever see the public, have to wear uniform at all?
Yep. We’re also trussed up like kippers with shirts and ties. My force even GOT RID of open necked shirts in favour of forcing EVERYONE to wear ties.
Why not stop issuing us with uniform and either save the money altogether (and continue to issue substandard uniform to those outside) - or spend the saving on investing in DECENT uniform for those who are in the public eye?
And to Jock The Cop….
just ‘cos it doesn’t have batteries doesn’t mean your force is not being supplied by Anne Summers!
Jock The Cop - sounds exactly like the farce we have had with the National Police Uniform. The cardboard demi-fleece is a bloody disgrace. Most of my people wear a Berghaus or similar, in black. underneath. One thing we have kept in Ruralshire Constabulary, thanks to the Chief, is our amazing Parka Type goretex, quilted patrol jackets. I was aware of the problems with trousers etc, it was the shirts we are jealous of!!!
To any Scots cops - do the public think you look like Nazi stormtroopers? (serious question).
Yes the shirts are a plus despite one or two groans from some. Funnily enough many from women members of the public who say they dont look as nice as the shirt and tie look……..! Take what you want from that!
As to the serious question asked. No I have never had any negative comment from any member of the public to that effect. They may say its smarter with a tie but they are all supportive of the fact that in this day and age we need to be more practicable.
One or two have suggested we do away with the whole shebang and go down the road of Paramedics with black style jump suits. I dont favour this, its more akin to my firearms overalls and certainly does look more military based with the stab vest but I understand the younger cops thinking. Not sure what the 28 year service and 28 stone cop would say mind you as to who he is going to look in a jump suit!
And to Fizz I would just like to say, Ann Summers do supply us I’m sure of it! I’m sure thats where we get half our senior exec from and the buggers have supplied them with duracell batteries cause they just keep going and going and going………….
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I wear the black t-shirts and prefer them. Most members of the public I have spoken to who commented on our new uniform, thought it looked better than the old.
The fleeces in my force are pretty crap, they aren’t windproof . ( It is very windy and wet where I work..) Put yourself on a fixed point or at a RTC when it is snowing or blowing a gale with horizontal rain and you are wearing a black tshirt under a crappy fleece that cost £5 to make, nae funny !
As for the trousers, utter utter crap. They had to send loads back as they barely fitted action man. The supplier must have thought the Force was made up of people who were two foot tall and had 14 inch waists. The one pair I did get, were of such poor quality, that after a few washes, the stitching started to come undone all over the place.
You don’t have to iron any more white shirts though ! I’ll keep those black tshirts.
“To any Scots cops - do the public think you look like Nazi stormtroopers? (serious question).”
After the initial shock wore off I’ve never had any comment about it. As someone who can remember when cops were told to tuck their baton strap into their trouser pocket because it looked aggressive leaving it hanging out I would say the protective equipment today is streets ahead and have no issues with it.
From a comfort point of view I agree the yellow jackets we get are a joke. The fleece with pockets you can’t put hands in is a joke and the recent trousers have been poor quality
. The overall appearance of the uniformthough is a non issue. The only thing I would change would be to have a large black and white checkered band on the body armour cover for ID purpooses. It can be hard in a crowded street to spot cops who aren’t wearing hats which could be a safety issue. Oh and “they should be wearing hats” is not the answer. As we all know sometimes getting out a car fast is more important than fumbling around the back seat looking for a hat or the hat can easily fall off or be knocked off.
Ted
And when did armchair expert Councillor Pram last meet a stormtrooper?
Obviously councillor Pram has never met a Stormtrooper or studied history as the Stormtroopers (SA) uniform was brown. It was the Waffen SS who’s uniform was black but covered in swastika symbols. Can’t really see those being placed on our uniforms.
Would be nice to have. I mean, we get called black bast%*ds even though our uniform is rifle green anyway.
white polo shirts and cargo pant type trousers would be lovely, but unlikely.
I wear a black shirt at work [dog handler] in an English police force. When I meet the public none of them ever have any trouble ID’ing me as a police officer or appear to be in the least bit alarmed at he sight of an all black uniform. I have been called ‘Nazi’, Fascist Pig’ etc. but only during my time on response when wearing a white shirt. In general I don’t think the public give 2 hoots about what we wear.
Our trousers are still the worst part of the uniform here as well. Mostly wool, they have a habit of splitting along the crootch seam at the worst time. On the plus side, they do not need ironing and have flat cargo pockets on the side which do not make them look like combat pants.
Amazingly enough, a couple years ago we got new jackets and spent some time ‘field testing’ the contenders with the front line guys and garnering input. At the end of the day, they listened and we ended up getting a great layered jacket made by North Face! It can be frightening when the powers that be in procurement do the right thing….
mops love it
I can’t in all honesty see the problem, going by the picture you posted they look smart & Im sorry, there is no way they look like stormtroopers! I remember from school & having to wear a shirt & tie how bloody uncomfortable it was & I was only sat at a desk, not running around chasing crims! Flourescent yellow plastic sheeting anyone? ;o)
I managed to blag one of the black t-shirts of a Strathclyde bobby at G8, and another from a Humberside Sgt last year. Never got to wear them on frontline after a hissy fit from a Supt, but they were superb for PSU. Soaking in sweat one minute? Dry five minutes later! Our force are still stuck with the white shirt and tie combo, because our chief thinks it looks smart. Which it does for the first five minutes of a shift until the vest and kit belt go on….. Our lightweight hi-vis are pants too, not even showerproof and certainly not windproof. Wouldn’t be so bad but the kit our PCSOs get is better!
The big difficulty always seems to be getting ‘managerial functions’ to accept that garments which are fit for purpose for jobs such as policing and healthcare might just not look so good in an office setting. We too had the most awful fight to get rotecno suits purchased and accepted as A&E wear despite the body of evidence supporting body fluid repellent longsleeved wear for frontline A&E personnel. Managers baulked at the price and the fact the hospital laundry, which was supposed to already be washing our uniforms, would now actually have to start doing it. Staff loved it for all the protective reasons and not least because we fitted right in with our clientele, most of whom also wore shell suits.
Re: police issue clothing my only experience of wearing an item of this was when out on a shadowing day with the local crash investigation unit. They very kindly loaned me one of their spare hi-vis jackets to wear which was fine as I hadnt thought to bring one of the A&E ones. Only trouble was when we got out of the car and I put it on I found it obviously belonged to the tallest cop in the unit and on someone of my height found it reached well below my knees. Hence I spent a significant potion of my shadowing looking like a self propelling traffic cone.
I have a question tho’ regarding equipment as police seem to be carrying ever increasing items around their belts. Is it to ensure they are well equipped for the demands of modern policing or are their managers just playing a modification of buckaroo?
Lucy
They’re afraid that if there was a different uniform for front line officers it’d be easy to spot who was an office dweller and who actually works for a living.
According to Monday’s Daily Mail North Wales police have gone over to the all black look and have even replaced the helmet with baseball caps.
Lucy
The ever heavier utility belts are designed to ensure that in time the NHS will have a steady supply of back problem patients to deal with. Simple really
Reading all about the un-uniform look of some present day police, I believe we should all get back to opera capes, seaboot stockings and balaclava helmets.
Jossing apart though, police officers should be readily identifiable but that should not stop them looking uniformly smart, because in my book, smartness looks and creates the impression of pride in the job and efficienct in its performance. I mean who would like a pillock like Detective Inspector Frost conducting an investigation looking as he does like a freakin’ scran-bag?