Name/Title
Sussex Police re purposed PSU blouson jacket c2000Entry/Object ID
1835Description
Blue nylon and Goretex blouson jacket with 5 popper buttons to the front, an elasticated waist and two breast pockets. Over the right pocket is a square shaped mark where a badge has been removed and there is a similar rectangular mark on the top of the right pocket. There is a removable quilted liner and an internal zip fastening to the front. There are sleeves on each shoulder to attach epaulettes and two chest tabs for attaching a radio microphone. Inside is a fabric label marked "Dewhirst" and a sizing/washing instruction fabric label marked "Dewhirst (Uniforms) Ltd" and "PSUSSUB2 SS" followed by care instructions and in handwritten blue ink " Excell 17". On the outside waistband is a small label marked "Gore-Tex R". On the right side of the collar is a small enamel pin badge depicting an eagle with the words "Sussex Police Search Wing".Use
For a Sussex Police officer or civilian member of staff to wear.Context
The type of jacket pictured was introduced in the mid 1990s for Public Support Unit officers in Sussex Police, they were not issued to all uniform officers, only those that received enhanced public support training. It is a later example because it has tabs on the chest for radio microphones and epaulette sleeves on the shoulders. It also has marks where a square shaped "Sussex Police" coat of arms badge was attached, not the earlier bell shaped version.
When it came to the museum this jacket was described as having been issued to a civilian forensic examiners for use when at the scenes of crimes. In the 1990s civilian support staff engaged in outside duties were not issued with uniforms, and even police officer forensic examiners (known as SOCOs) still worked in plain clothes. As more civilian staff were recruited into such roles some items of outer uniform clothing were re-purposed for their use and this would have included the removal of any police badges, to prevent the staff being mistaken for police officers.
The "Sussex Police Search Wing" badge is interesting as these would not have been officially issued but private purchase. It could indicate that this jacket was worn by a search trained officer. Sussex Police trains a number of officers to carry out enhanced searches, mainly for security searches prior to major events or high profile official visits. Prior to them being issued with suitable uniforms, they were issued with boiler suits and in time the same uniforms as PSU officers. However the lack of badges does suggest a re-purpose for a civilian member of staff.