Name/Title
Sussex Police chief superintendent's tunic c1995 - presentEntry/Object ID
2464Description
Black wool open necked tunic with four large buttons to the front, two breast pockets and two hip pockets, all pockets having small buttons. Attached to each shoulder is a chrome plated metal crown with red enamel inserts, over a chrome plated bath star. Each lapel has a chrome plated Sussex Police coat of arms shield badge. All buttons are chrome plated and marked with a Queen's Crown. Over the left breast pocket are sewn medal ribbons for the Golden Jubilee Medal, the Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. There are "action pleats" at the rear of each shoulder. Inside is a label marked "Dewhirst" and a size label marked "PR5MJ3 DEW 108L" together with care instructions and "2001"Use
For use by a male Sussex Police chief superintendentContext
In the mid 1990s Sussex Police began to issue a simpler type of tunic than that previously used. These were broadly similar to those unbelted tunics issued since the late 1980s, but had "action" type shoulder pleats at the rear and somewhat inferior generic style buttons with simply a Queen's crown, replacing the previous ones marked "Sussex Police"
This particular example has the rank insignia of a crown and a bath star, representing a chief superintendent. This rank was abolished in 1995 following the recommendations of the "Sheehy Report", but subsequently re-introduced in 2002. The medal ribbons, represent, the Golden Jubilee Medal, the Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, the latter currently awarded after 22 years service. The shoulders have some additional holes suggesting that there may have originally been other insignia attached, and the crowns are both at a slight angle. This may indicate a promotion or the fact that this was a uniform stores "pool" tunic. The label inside indicates a possible manufacture date of 2001. This tunic would have been worn with a white shirt and a black tie.
In 2002 Sussex Police stopped issuing tunics to officers and thereafter a stock was held by the clothing store to be temporarily issued to officers when needed for ceremonial occasions. These were to be returned afterwards for future re use and re numbering. After this time tunics were no longer required to be worn by officers attending court, which had previously been the rule. Some senior officers, especially chief officers, continued to be issued with tunics, as they were expected to more regularly require them, and this practice may have extended to superintendent rank. Many older officers would have retained tunics previously issued and kept them, and possibly re badged them upon any promotion.