Chrome plated one piece Brunswick Star Queen's Crown helmet plate, marked "Sussex Constabulary" with "EllR" cypher in solid centre. Has three lug fittings to rear.
Use
For use on a police helmet.
Context
When the remaining Sussex police forces were amalgamated to form Sussex Constabulary on 1st January 1968 this helmet plate and corresponding cap badges were introduced. No separate black painted helmet plates were made, as this chrome plated version was for both day and night use.
When the Force name was changed to Sussex Police in 1974, this helmet plate was replaced with a very similar one bearing the word "Police' instead of "Constabulary"(see item 279).
The "EllR" is the royal cypher for Queen Elizabeth ll and the use of the reigning monarch's cypher has been used as an alternative to a coat of arms on police badges since the first helmet plates were used during Queen Victoria's reign.
This style of badge is called a Brunswick Star and its use on police helmets goes back to the 1870's. However it only became more common after 1934, when the Home Office attempted to standardise police uniforms and insignia.
