UNIFORM SURVEY


IS YOUR UNIFORM A GOOD FIT?


PFEW teams up with Lancaster University to launch the first-ever National Police Uniform and Equipment Survey to find out if your uniform is comfortable and wearing it has ever affected your physical or mental health?


Lancaster University, in collaboration with the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) and the National Uniform Portfolio as part of the NPCC, and supported by UNISON and the Superintendents Association, launched the first-ever National Police Uniform and Equipment Survey on Monday 1 July 2024. The project is spearheaded by National


Board members Belinda Goodwin, Wellbeing lead, and Zac Mader, Welsh lead, in collaboration with Lancaster University Law School researchers Dr Camilla De Camargo and Dr Stephanie Wallace. Explaining the reasons behind launching


the survey, Zac said: “Currently police forces in England and Wales do not follow a single procurement model, which is at the heart of the issues officers face regarding uniform.


“I doubt there would be a police station in the country where officers and staff do not have conversations about uniform wherein they voice their good, bad or indifferent experience. “Currently we do not have one procurement model and forces follow a disparate approach whereby numerous different routes are taken to get uniform. “We have a procurement model


that some forces follow, which is called NUMS (National Uniform Management System) or NUMS Lite, and then there are local procurement models followed by force or regional set-ups.” Evidence of poor workwear designs is widespread across various emergency service occupations and has highlighted the serious medical implications of overlooking problems personal protective equipment and clothing, particularly for women. Highlighting the issues associated with


think that has got lost along the way. “If our employers do not invest in uniform, we will not get the product we deserve. Our view is that uniform needs to keep us dry when it’s wet, cool when it’s warm and warm when it’s cold. “We have heard female officers facing discomfort because the unisex trousers have a short distance between the waist and crotch. Couple of years ago during a survey by Gwent police male officers complained of experiencing crushed testicles. All of this plays into how officers and staff feel on the job and that cannot be understated.” Belinda and Zac also pointed out the


financial aspects of uniform procurement. “We want the uniform to be ethically sourced and environmentally friendly. We are keen to work with the NPCC and other stakeholders in a positive and pragmatic way to ensure any changes to the uniform bring tangible benefits for our officers,” said Zac. “It comes down to budgeting. Chief officers allot a certain percentage of their budget to procure uniform and sometimes enlist people known to them for doing the procurement, but they


“The uniform represents what we stand for, it gives us the authority and identity. I think that has got lost along the way.”


wont be police officers. It is not always conducive in getting the best quality product,” said Belinda. Dr De Camargo, a lecturer and policing


uniform, Belinda said: “Our uniform defines who we are and that’s where our job starts. “The uniform represents what we stand for, it gives us the authority and identity. I


40 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2024


researcher of Lancaster University Law School, explored ill-fitting and uncomfortable uniforms in her doctoral thesis in 2017, and found police uniforms were originally tailored by men, for men, and centred around heteronormative masculine body shapes, with current iterations still not


fit for purpose. But subsequent evidence shows some current standard issues uniforms are not fit for men either. In 2023, Dr De Camargo explored a project, When the Uniform Doesn’t Fit, to examine how poorly fitted police uniforms impact performance, health and safety, morale and psychological wellbeing. The study also brought out


short-term and long-term medical implications for women, including deterioration of conditions of


disabilities, and other chronic physical and mental health challenges.


These findings underscore the critical need for appropriate uniform designs that cater to the diverse physical and emotional needs of both male and female police officers and members of the police staff. The data from this survey will be used


to inform future national decision-making about uniform design, usability, and safety for all officers and staff.


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