You never see a copper on the beat anyway...!!!!!

If one were to see a person dressed in a T-Shirt and combat trousers in the street and brandishing a firearm then the first reaction would be to call the Police.

Oh! Erm.... wait a minute... they ARE the police.
I think?
Or maybe they're not?
Perhaps they are about to raid a shop?
Or about to do themselves-in?
Or maybe a nutter about to shoot a few people to gain their 15 minutes of notoriety?
Or a terrorist?

They are now shouting at me to get down on the floor! Do I comply (because I believe they ARE a Police Officer) or do I run like mad to get away (because I think they are NOT a Police Officer)?

Or perhaps someone approaches me in the street and asks for some means of indentification?
"Could I have your name and address, please?".
"No.'Go away' mate!".

Why should my reaction be any different? They are, after all, dressed in a T-shirt and combats and could be after my details in order to burgle me?

The bulk of the Police Force (aside from those engaged in under-cover ops / plain clothes duties) absolutely MUST make themselves visually DISTINGUISHABLE FROM a member of the public.

This measure will at best, lead to more wrongful arrests and at worst, end in serious injury or the death of someone who genuinely does not believe that they ARE the Police.

We hear on a daily basis of calls for a greater physical presence of Police on the streets. That presence must be visually recognisable, not obscured and confusable with a member of the general public.

It is an utterly stupid idea and must not be implemented.

Copper on the beat? That went out with Dixon of Dock Green and Panda Cars! The last time I saw a bobby walking in Portsea white fivers were still legal currency!

And on the new uniform, we don't have a police force left, just a para-military rapid reaction force who charge round in vans so they might as well dress the part. (I'm sad to say)

And on the new uniform, we don't have a police force left, just a para-military rapid reaction force who charge round in vans so they might as well dress the part. (I'm sad to say)

I agree with all of the above, but it will go ahead whether we like it or not!! Like everything else that happens in this country. Could somebody tell me please why we feel the need to dress the police like a soldier?? or is it to make what little force there is left look better to the young? it will make the police look really hard, only for the criminal to get handed a piece paper for his/her punishment! Oh England you go careful, oh yes thats what we do is'nt it!