Sussex Constabulary cap badge for inspectors and chief inspectors 1968 - 1974
Name/Title
Sussex Constabulary cap badge for inspectors and chief inspectors 1968-1974
Entry/Object ID
656
Description
Chrome plated senior officer's star shaped cap badge, with Queen's Crown and blue enamel ring marked "Sussex Constabulary" around a voided (cut away) "EIIR" royal cypher. Has pointed prongs to rear.
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. Whilst those for the lower ranks were a plain circle topped with a crown, those for inspectors and above were a star shape with a blue enamel ring topped with a crown. 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 Sussex Constabulary, up until the 1970'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 chief inspectors in Sussex Constabulary between 1968 and 1974. It was then replaced with a similar badge replacing the word "Constabulary" with "Police", when the force name was changed to Sussex Police.
