For the first time in thirty years, the Surinamese police have introduced a new uniform. It is cheaper, more functional and improves visibility on the streets. However, not everyone is happy with the new look. The uniform strongly resembles that of their Dutch counterparts.
Wil je de Nederlandse versie van dit artikel lezen? Klik hier om naar Prettybusiness.nl te gaan.
The history of the Surinamese police
The Surinamese police have a long history and have undergone many changes over the years. Before 1828, there was no clear distinction between the police and the military. Local policing tasks were carried out by officers in Paramaribo, while rural policing fell under military responsibility. It was not until 1863, following the abolition of slavery, that the Marechaussee Corps was established in Suriname. This force took over rural policing duties. At the time, officers wore a dark blue jacket with a standing collar and metal buttons.
As the police organisation expanded and different teams and departments were formed, the uniform also evolved. It gradually became more modern, while retaining a formal appearance.
Photo above: Surinamese police uniform in 1964
In 1995, officers received a new outfit known as the grey uniform. It included dark grey trousers, a matching cap and a white long-sleeved shirt. This sober colour combination aimed to reflect a neutral appearance.
The new Surinamese police uniform
In early 2020, the Korps Politie Suriname (KPS) started working with officers to develop a new uniform. Although the previous design looked formal and neutral, it turned out to be impractical. Trousers often tore during foot chases, and the full uniform package was considered too expensive.
This year, during the celebration of fifty years of Srefidensi, Suriname’s independence day, the police officially presented the new uniform.
The new uniform looks completely different. The grey trousers have been replaced by dark blue cargo trousers with multiple pockets. The white shirt has been replaced by a dark blue short sleeved polo shirt with light green details. Instead of a formal hat, officers now wear a cap. The only remaining similarity is the black belt, although its material has been updated.
Surinamese police uniform compared to the Netherlands
The presentation immediately sparked debate. Critics pointed to the strong resemblance to the Dutch police uniform, especially in light of the colonial history between the two countries.
Both uniforms show bright-coloured stripes across the chest, with the word police placed over them. The dark blue base and matching cap add to the similarity. Many citizens called for a more distinctive design that wouldn’t evoke associations with the Dutch police.
Expecting such criticism, the Surinamese police made several design changes. They swapped fluorescent yellow for what they call velvet green. This means officers on traffic duty no longer need to wear an additional high-visibility vest. However, this new colour doesn’t meet the European standard for high-visibility clothing (EN ISO 20471), while the standard vest still does.
In an interview with ATV Networks Suriname, a KPS spokesperson emphasised that the uniform inevitably shares similarities with those of European police forces. He specifically mentioned the police uniform of Sint Maarten as an example.
Police uniforms always spark debate
According to the spokesperson, every new uniform sparks public discussion, but that does not justify changing the design. The new uniform package also costs significantly less, partly because of its gender neutral fit. In practice, the cut follows a male body shape.
The contrast between dark blue and light green improves both visibility and recognisability compared to the old grey uniform. Its practical cut, short sleeves and breathable polyester dry fit fabric make it more comfortable, especially in warm conditions. Staff working in office based roles will now wear the old grey uniform instead of discarding it.
What do you think of the new uniforms? Do they resemble the Dutch police uniform too closely, and is that actually a problem?
Did you know there is currently also a debate about the colours of Belgian police uniforms? This article explains why the Belgian police cannot agree on the look of their new uniform.
Kind regards,
Aileen