Name/Title
Sussex Constabulary female officer's "Surrey" style hat c1973 - 1974Entry/Object ID
1841Description
White ribbed cotton flat topped female officer's hat with black felt brim, and checkered headband. Size 6 3/4 or 55. Has a round voided Queen's Crown "EIIR Sussex Constabulary" cap badge, stamped on slider "Firmin London". No maker's marksUse
For use by female constables and sergeants in Sussex ConstabularyContext
In 1968 the Metropolitan Police adopted a uniform designed by fashion designer Norman Hartnell, which was issued together with a "pillbox" style hat designed by Simone Mirman. Both uniform and hat were intended to make the police service more attractive to women by replacing what was seen as the somewhat frumpy "Bather" uniform, which had been in use since 1946.
Other police forces including, Sussex Constabulary adopted the Simone Mirman hats, but by 1973 both the hats and the Hartnell uniforms were abandoned in the Met. and a style of uniform and hat which was already in use in Surrey Constabulary, was adopted.
This uniform and hat became known as the "Surrey" style and its main features were a fitted pocketless tunic and a flat topped white hat, with black brim and chequered headband. The hats are often referred to as "hostess" hats, because of their similarity to hats worn at the time by air hostesses.
This particular hat has a Sussex Constabulary badge which dates from 1968 to 1974, after which the force changed its name to Sussex Police. This badge is made by the well known button and badge makers Firmin.
Sussex Constabulary used the Mirman style hats from 1970 and adopted the "Surrey" style hat, with a removable white cotton cover for cleaning, in July 1973 (Patrol Magazine June 1973). The hat pictured would appear to be an early version as it has a cotton top.
From at least 1977, if not earlier, "Surrey" style hats issued by Sussex Police had a white plastic covered top, instead of a cotton one. This may have been because they were easier to clean. "Surrey" style hats were used in Sussex until 1985 when they were replaced with the re-enforced "bowler" type to give female officers greater protection, although they are thought to have still been issued to female traffic officers until white bowler styles became available.