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Police Uniforms

On 28 Sep 2012 at 11:33am Uninformed wrote:

Not a dig at the police as such but more of a concern. When I go abroad or watch news from abroad that involves the police, I am drawn to compare their uniforms to those worn by the police in the UK. To be quite honest, whenever I see a fully tooled up policeman (or woman) on our streets (OK, quite rare, I must admit), they scare the living crap out of me. Their uniforms are so menacing. Why should this be? You regularly see fully armed police is say France or Italy or Germany and they look both approachable and even frendly. What has happened to the old concept of the "bobby" who was instantly approachable in the UK. Are we such a lawless society that we need them to dress as they do? I am sure this gives a negative impression to even the most law abiding citizen. Or am I being a bit alarmist? Or even too old fashioned? Comments on a charge sheet please.

On 28 Sep 2012 at 1:25pm Big Brother wrote:

It is intentional. We are watching you all....

On 28 Sep 2012 at 2:52pm Harry Mount wrote:

Not connected with uniforms per se, but...a policeman told me he was concerned that many of the traditional 'bobbie' roles are being outsourced to private agencies, such as G4S - leaving the police with the more confrontational aspects of the job. This means that people no longer get the community-based 'friendly' side of policing any more and that this is one reason for peoples changes in perception. Maybe the clothes reflect that shift?

On 28 Sep 2012 at 3:11pm Irrelevant Steve wrote:

I know what you mean. I waited 25 minutes for a bus this morning, and was then greeted by a surly driver. And I was wet. I just don't know what to do about it.

On 28 Sep 2012 at 4:12pm jrsussex wrote:

Uninformed - I agree with you, it has, I believe, played a part in losing the police the respect their uniform used to carry. Individual officers think they look great, they love the special forces image it gives them but does little for their public persona. I also dislike the amount of police officers that sport designer stubble on the days it suits them not to shave. Their appearance does little to enhance the public impression of them (that's when the public see one of course).

On 28 Sep 2012 at 4:17pm Old Cynic wrote:

Police in Italy and France are far from approachable and cuddly - they scare the crap out of you! Once saw Italian police manage a bunch of Lazio fans - not nice!

On 28 Sep 2012 at 6:13pm Clifford wrote:

I don't like to sound like a Marxist, because I'm not one, but it is a sign of the mounting crisis of capitalism. As the crisis develops, and who can deny it is, then the prime role of the forces of 'law and order' will be to deal with the citizen than the criminal.

On 28 Sep 2012 at 8:56pm lewisian wrote:

why dont you all grow up it's just a uniform it does not reflect the person wearing it or the way they work in my experience most of them are very approachable and like to have a chat with people. Hence we have the best police force in the world they also do not choose what they have to wear

On 29 Sep 2012 at 7:55am the troof wrote:

I spoke to one at the Esso the other day and they told me the overriding factor for that new style uniform was cost..... its much cheaper apparently and saves a considerable amount each year. He also showed me a tablet pc they are trialing which means they can do more stuff on the road and stay out more. I dont usually rate the police but i found this young man and his colleague very approachable and they even managed to crack a smile. Makes a change but maybe they arent all bad after all.