Police Uniform And Body Armour ‘Could Be Better’

There needs to be more investment in police uniform and body armour so that the need for protection is balanced with comfort, the Chair of Hampshire Police Federation has said.

PFEW is pressing for improved uniform and body armour that is fit for the future, factoring in summers that now regularly reach 40℃. The national Federation is working with Loughborough University to help its researchers gather evidence on how police uniform should look.

Hampshire Police Federation Chair Zoë Wakefield said: “Police uniform is really important. Body armour is there to protect us, and there are numerous cases where the officer would have been seriously injured or worse if they hadn’t been wearing body armour.

“But, unfortunately, all our uniform is black and heavy, and it’s not ideal to be wearing it in the summer when it’s really hot. But the balance has always got to be there with giving us that protection that we need, as well as obviously looking smart and professional.”

She continued: “I think police uniform could be better. There is better body armour available that offers the same protection, but it’s a lot more expensive, so again investment is needed.

“I think there’s a lot to be said for having a national uniform. You’ve got different forces that do things differently and money could be saved by having a national uniform. In Hampshire we’re in a consortium with about 11 other forces for uniform, but again that’s 11 out of 43, so there’s a lot of money that could be saved by forces working together better.”