Name/Title
Sussex Police male officer's uniform polo shirt c2010 - 2015Entry/Object ID
2509Description
Black coloured nylon short sleeved collarless shirt, with epaulette loops and a small black plastic button on both shoulders and front zip fastening from chest to neck. At the ends of both sleeves is embroidered in white thread "Police". Label inside neck marked "44" and other care label is marked to front "Male black T shirt Police short sleeve/standard fit Ref Code: 104-039 Size: 44 Contract: Sussex Police Name: No:"Use
For a male officer to wear in Sussex Police from 2010.Context
In 2010 Sussex Police abandoned the use of traditional police uniform and adopted a gender neutral utilitarian design, consisting of black short sleeved polo style shirts and black cargo style trousers with leg pockets. Up until that point officers had either worn smart uniform trousers or skirts and white shirts with ties or cravats. Tunics were no longer worn by then and had been discontinued for all but ceremonial wear.
The new shirts and trousers were to be worn in conjunction with existing stab vests and blouson fleece or hi- viz uniform jackets. To begin with the shirts had "Police" embroidered on the sleeves and continued to do so for some time. However in more recent years plain unmarked versions of black shirts have been issued instead. The embroidery on this particular shirt identifies it as an older one and the label shows that it was made for Sussex Police.
The introduction of these black shirts was and remains controversial. Many officers find that they are too hot in summer and there are wider concerns as to whether black is an appropriate colour, given historical political associations. Many feel that the new uniforms are scruffy and that it is impossible to present a smart appearance when wearing them. However most UK police forces have switched to similar attire, although a small number do retain white shirts, most noticeably, the Metropolitan Police, who still wear them with ties or cravats and give officers the choice of a traditional cotton shirt with pockets or a more modern nylon fitted version without pockets but retaining a traditional collar.