East Sussex Constabulary inspectors and chief inspectors cap badge 1952-1967
Name/Title
East Sussex Constabulary inspectors and chief inspectors cap badge 1952-1967
Entry/Object ID
333
Description
Chrome plated East Sussex Constabulary Queen's Crown inspector's cap badge, with blue enamel ring and voided (cut away) East Sussex coat of arms centre. Marked in Enamel ring "East Sussex Constabulary".
Use
For use on caps for inspectors and chief inspectors
Context
It was common practice in the past for officer's of the rank of Inspector and above to have more ornate cap badges than those of constables and sergeants. Indeed whilst some modern UK police forces have adopted the same cap badge for for all ranks, most still issue separate badges.
In many forces, including East Sussex Constabulary, up until the 1960's it was common to see chrome badges such as this issued to inspectors and chief inspectors, and silver or silver plated versions issued to Superintendents and above. In some cases officer's of Chief Officer rank had even more elaborate cap badges.
This badge with a Queen's or St. Edward's Crown was used for Inspectors and above in East Sussex between 1952 and 1967. It was issued to Keir Angel who served in both East Sussex Constabulary and Sussex Constabulary/Sussex Police. In 1967 when the Force name was changed to East Sussex Police it was replaced with a similar badge replacing the word "Constabulary" with "Police". In practice most existing officers were not given the new badges and it is believed that only newly promoted inspectors were issued with the "Police" version of this badge.
