Kent Police Uniforms

Friday 23rd of May 2008 02:26:22 AM

The beat officers of the Kent Police Department will no longer be wearing the traditional white shirts and clip on ties. Instead, in a move to respond to the preferences of the officers, the front line officers will be trying out new uniforms that, at least for the time being, will now require polo shirts. Officers who are not on the front line will continue to wear the traditional white shirts and ties.

The reason for the change, according to the Police Department is that:"The safety and comfort of our officers is paramount and the force is keen to ensure they are properly equipped to carry out their duties," said Ch Supt Jan Stephens. "This trial is a result of listening to the needs of police officers and ensuring that our uniforms keep pace with the changing role of professional policing duties."

According to the Department, officers felt that more comfortable uniforms would make their jobs easier especially when dealing with modern protective body armour and other police tools.

The new uniform trial began on May 19 and if it is proven successful, the new uniform will be introduced on a permanent basis. The trial period will last for three months. During that time, the Kent Police Department is asking for feedback from local citizens and from officers. The decision about whether to continue with the new uniform of zipped up polo shirts will be made, in part, on the recommendations of the local citizens and police officers. It will be interesting to see what the results of this experiment bring about and whether the beat officers can, in fact, perform their jobs better because they are more comfortable. It will also be interesting to see how the public reacts to seeing the officers in a different uniform. Time will tell if the uniforms of the Kent Police Department will be changed for good. (c) www.sxc.hu, Jelle Weidema