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LAPD circa 1890
Maybe there's no film...maybe he just wanted to do it and have a plausible alibi
Speaking of jodhpurs, why do you think they fell out of style with Americans post WWII?
New Jersey State Police:
Ah, see they look like police. Here in London, they're moving the Met ever-closer to those novelty uniforms where they wander about in a short sleeve shirt, or - even worse - a t-shirt with a printed logo. Such a shame. Increasingly they look more like event bouncers than police. I find it hard to respect their authority if the force has so little respect for them.
In the same line of reasoning, I don't respect police officers who use radios, automobiles/motorcycles, who carry guns, or who don't wear capes. Maybe some modern departments have more casual uniforms because they're learning from bouncers that heavy, layered wool uniforms (while they evoke the traditional authoritative figure to some) aren't the most practical attire for agility and endurance, as in speed during drawing a weapon/grappling and endurance in not overheating under physical strain). If new forms of attire help officers stay safe and do their job, and if police departments recommend/require such uniforms, I don't see why it is hard to respect their authority if they continue to perform their duty.
Take note of the body armor in the Shanghai police picture.
I find it amazing that this site is about tradition and yet some would equate them with nazis. They are all about tradition as are the Massachusetts state police. This is what cops wore back in the golden age.
Hats are not comfortable and pretty much useless except in the rain.
I understand the hat issue here! Police hats go back to the days of when most cops served in the military through the draft and were indoctrinated into the wearing of them whenever outside. Since most cops these days have not served in the military the wearing of them has eased over the years it seems and is not a priority of most bosses. NYPD still enforces it however. They serve no purpose other than give the appearance the user is taller. In my early time no cop would ever wear a wool watch cap, now they are in use more. We were even discouraged from using the fur hat with the fold down flaps and could only get away with it on extreme weather days. Personally I prefer this hat with the badge on it over the wool watch cap.
Today cops are moving to the BDU type uniform which is cheaper and easier to clean. In my time we wore ties with long sleeves, PERIOD! now we wear a turtle neck which too is more practical. The clip on tie served no purpose and since we switched to turtle necks or dickies no one has ever asked where our tie is when we show up to a call.
Could this be a reflection of the general population not being as formal at work as they once were? and why do you expect a police officer to be in a tie while your physician is not.
My hand made shirts and pants are wool. These breathe more than the polyester ones which do not breath at all. I can feel the wind on my sleeves but not my body where the bullet proof vest is. They take weeks to be made, and have a tag with the date and your name sewn in on the tails or waistline.
Leather is no longer issued as they cost a boatload compared to the fabric jackets.
Police should look intimidating. This sometimes scares people and stops anyone from getting foolish which could result in the civilian being hurt in a fight to subdue them, or the police officer being assaulted.
Are police your friend ?, my answer is no, we are an authority figure just like your boss is. We can do it with compassion and respect and courtesy, but in the end we need to have that level of respect or fear when we are on scene.
Absolutely agreed - they need to look like and be authority figures, they're not there to be your pal. That's my big issue with some of the dumbed down uniforms I've seen.... Can't recall where it was, but I've seen polis with a logo-embroidered poloshirt, and short trousers. Looked ridiculous. Can't imagine I'd not do as told, given they were armed, but it looked like they'd gone from the works gym to the beat without bothering to shower and change.