Police uniforms in the UK and Scotland: health risks, poor fit and infections made headlines worldwide last year. British officers complained about crushed testicles, infections, and other physical discomfort. An official investigation has since been carried out into the uniforms. And what did it reveal? Not only British officers, but also their Scottish colleagues are struggling with uniforms that fall far short. Where does it go wrong, and what lessons can we learn from England and Scotland?

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Police uniforms in the UK: infections, pain, and other problems

After the complaints from British officers, which made international news, the police decided to launch an official investigation. In total, 20,838 officers in England and Wales shared their views on the uniforms.

The report describes the situation as a ‘postcode lottery’: the quality of the uniforms varies greatly between regions. That quality depends mainly on the budget available, not on the tasks the officer performs. Despite these differences, the complaints show striking similarities.

Officers especially complain about the poor fit of the trousers, no surprise after last year’s headlines. Shirts also fit poorly and are made of uncomfortable material. And PPE scores badly again: head protection doesn’t fit properly or is impractical to use, while bulletproof vests are uncomfortable and cause pain.

Officers in Scotland buying their own uniforms

Among their report, not only trousers but also jackets, fleece jumpers, baseball caps, and shoes score poorly. Again, the trousers have a bad fit and lack stretch. Jackets don’t provide enough protection against the weather, fleece jumpers are too thin, baseball caps don’t protect sufficiently, and shoes are of poor quality.

When it comes to personal protective equipment, officers find bulletproof vests uncomfortable. These vests even cause physical complaints in the back, shoulders, and chest. Officers also describe torches, handcuffs, radios, and PPE holders as impractical and poor in quality. And just like the shoes, they fail to provide adequate protection.

Whereas in England the quality of the uniform depends on the region, in Scotland rank plays a bigger role. Frontline officers receive uniforms of lower quality than managers or specialists. Officers also complain about the overall appearance of the uniform, which they feel looks unprofessional.

Police uniforms in the UK and Scotland: health risks, poor fit and infections

When you consider that designers created the first police uniforms back in 1829, it seems strange that uniform fit still goes so wrong today. These poor designs even cause infections and pain for officers. One common denominator stands out: they are unisex uniforms. And when it comes to clothing, studies have repeatedly shown that no single fit works for both men and women. Simply because their bodies are different.

Bulletproof vests and PPE in UK and Scotland police uniforms

Bulletproof vests are another familiar problem. Not only police officers, but also soldiers often describe them as uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are now many modern versions that are lighter and specially designed for the female body. In short: all this discomfort could have been easily avoided. Start with uniforms and PPE designed for gender-specific needs, and you already have a strong foundation. Then come the innovations, such as lightweight bulletproof vests and advanced fabrics with nanotechnology. But if you don’t get the basics right, it’s a losing battle.

Finally, it’s not only about comfort and appearance. Both reports also show that poorly fitting uniforms can lead to physical complaints and sick leave. And that brings not only discomfort, but also high costs. My advice: back to the drawing board.

Best,
Aileen