Sussex Constabulary special inspector's epaulettes c1970s
Name/Title
Sussex Constabulary special inspector's epaulettes c1970s
Entry/Object ID
2497
Description
A pair of dark blue/black heavy cotton epaulettes each with a chrome plated metal "SC" badge topped with a Queen's Crown, over two chrome plated Bath Stars.
Use
For an inspector in the special constabulary to wear on a uniform raincoat.
Context
By the late 1950s most if not all of the police forces in Sussex allowed their officers to wear shirts without tunics in some capacity. This meant that epaulettes were needed to display a constable or sergeant's warrant number on their shirt, with sergeants having the addition of rank insignia as well. Ranks of inspector and above, did not display numbers but only rank insignia as was the case on tunics.
These epaulettes were used by William Frederick Turner who served as a special constable in Brighton Borough Police and later Sussex Constabulary. They date from when he was promoted to inspector in the 1970s, the two Bath Stars or "pips" signifying this rank. At this time the Sussex Constabulary specials were using the same ranks as regular officers. Later they would adopt a totally different rank system and rank insignia unique to the special constabulary, consisting of bars and including the ranks of "section" and "divisional" officers. The "SC" signifies "Special Constabulary".
The very heavy cotton material used on these epaulettes indicates that they were intended for use on a raincoat. Those for use on a shirt were of a lighter construction (see items 2498).
