Name/Title
Sussex Police utility belt c2010 - 2015Entry/Object ID
2458Description
Black nylon 50mm wide utility belt with black plastic retainers and velcro on inside for adjusting the size. There is a plastic catch with a central button and further ones at top and bottom to release it.Use
For a police officer or PCSO to carry equipment on.Context
Until 2000 officers in Sussex Police were expected to carry their equipment on a reasonable thin leather belt approximately 28mm wide, which was attached to loops on their trousers or skirts. However over time the amount of equipment had increased considerably from just a handcuff pouch and radio, to include, a torch, a side handled baton, a first aid push, and a document pouch. It is ironic that in the early 1990s officers had been specifically ordered to reduce items being carried on their belts to a minimum to prevent giving a militaristic appearance, considering that the items that were now weighing officers down were things they were required to carry.
So when a new extendable baton and baton holder were added to the list of equipment in 2000 new nylon utility belts were issued. These were 50mm wide, fully adjustable via velcro and rigid enough to support the necessary equipment. Over time "Captor" incapacitant spray and its holder and tactical restraining straps have also been added to belt equipment , and some officers are also equipped with Taser stun guns. These utility belts are worn over trouser belts and have small retaining straps to hold them to the smaller belts.
This particular belt with a central release button is a later version and probably dates from 2010 to 2015. Since 2018 Sussex Police has replaced nylon utility belts with wide leather ones.