Information about officers uniforms

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.025096

I note you seek access to the following information:

1) Why do some officers wear navy blue shirts? Could you provide me a general reason for wearing navy blue shirts?

2) Which units wear navy blue shirts? Could you furnish me an exhaustive list of these?

3) Is it safe to assume that all other uniformed police officers wear the standard white shirt?

4) Why do some officers not wear stab vests when on frontline duty?

5) Why do some officers not wear equipment belts while on frontline duty?

6) Why do some officers not wear ties when on duty?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Why do some officers wear navy blue shirts? Could you provide me a general reason for wearing navy blue shirts?

Uniform is role specific and assists with identification of our officers/staff. Most units that wear these will be those that are in a role where a white shirt is not suitable (e.g. gets dirty too quickly or is too visible) such as Dog Search Teams or stable/garage hands.

Q2 - Which units wear navy blue shirts? Could you furnish me an exhaustive list of these?

Dog Support Unit, S019, PADP, RASP, POLSA( Search Teams),LSO (Licensed Search Officer), Warehouse Staff, Stable Staff, Horse Box Driver, Volunteer Police Cadet, Volunteer Police Cadet Leader, Vehicle Removal Officer, Car Pound Officer, Kennel Hand, Oversea Deployment, S018 – Aviation Policing, PSD -Operational Support Group, Tractor Unit, Mounted Police Unit and Marine Unit.

Q3 - Is it safe to assume that all other uniformed police officers wear the standard white shirt?

Most other roles use the standard white shirt with the exception of a few specialist roles that use an alternative shirt.

Q4 - Why do some officers not wear stab vests when on frontline duty?

All frontline officers wear armour for their specific role however some will wear this covertly depending on the duty they are deployed to that shift.

Q5 - Why do some officers not wear equipment belts while on frontline duty?

Some officers may wear a MOLLE carriage solution or a covert option. This is due to the specific role they are deployed into to ensure ease of access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or due to welfare reasons such as muscular skeletal issues as a MOLLE solution allows them to spread the load of carriage.

Q6 - Why do some officers not wear ties when on duty?

Uniformed police officers (office based or public facing) are expected to wear MPS uniform in accordance with the existing dress code policy. Currently this advises ties / cravats are required when a long sleeved shirt or an outer garment (e.g a fleece) is worn. Local line management decisions can be made however based on a number of factors (such as extreme heat or specific recommendations from occupational health) which could amend this standard position.