Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz Groom is encouraging members to complete a new survey seeking members’ views on police uniform.
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has launched a National Police Uniform and Equipment Survey in collaboration with researchers at Lancaster University.
Liz said: “This survey looking at police uniform and issues around it is the first of its kind.
“Our uniform needs to evolve and needs to accommodate our kit and body worn video, and be comfortable to wear.
“This is an opportunity to ensure it is fit for purpose for everyone, and I’d encourage all members to have their say.”
The survey will provide decision makers with the evidence needed to make meaningful changes to police uniform.
Zac Mader, the Federation’s Welsh co-lead, is leading on the project with fellow National Board member and PFEW wellbeing lead Belinda Goodwin.
Zac echoed Liz’s call for as many members as possible to complete the survey.
He said: “This is the first opportunity our members have had to tell us and the police service how they feel about their uniform.
“Every day, in every station there’s likely to be a conversation about uniform, whether it’s good, bad or indifferent.
“Our survey focuses on issues around uniform and interoperability with equipment and PPE.
“Is the uniform fit for purpose? How does it make people feel wearing it? Does it make you feel proud to be a police officer?
“This is a great opportunity for our members to have their say on what they think about their uniform and what they want from it, and we’d encourage as many as possible to complete it.
“We’ll use the results to give decision makers evidence of what our members want so that meaningful changes are made to the uniform and uniform policies.”
The survey has had input from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Police Superintendents’ Association, UNISON and the Home Office.
Zac said he hoped the work would improve the quality of uniforms, and even save Forces money in the long run.
“It appears to be a postcode lottery at the moment,” he said.
“There isn’t one route to buying uniform, which means potentially different standards of uniform across the service.
“We want consistency with police uniform, with the highest minimum standards and to get rid of the postcode lottery.
“We want uniform that is environmentally friendly and that has been ethically sourced.
“And we believe that there are future opportunities with procurement of uniform and buying power.”
The link to the survey has been sent to members’ inboxes. If you have any queries, please contact impactofuniform@gmail.com or the PFEW research team on researchanddatacollection@polfed.org