![](https://emergencyservicestimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESS-Button-resized.png")
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland has published a report that says it is ‘unacceptable’ that officers are buying their own uniform because the standard issue kit is not fit for purpose.
Coming shortly after the Police Federation England and Wales report into the state of uniform, Frontline focus – Tools of the trade sets out the situation in Scotland. HMICS finds many weaknesses in the approach to uniform provision as well as a disparity in how frontline officers and police staff feel they are treated.
“Most officers we spoke to [about trousers} raised concerns about poor material quality, rapid colour fading, lack of stretch, and an ill-fitting design (leading many female officers to resort to ordering male sizes). As a result, we heard that many officers now purchase their own alternatives online.”
In terms of outerwear, the fleeces are too thin, poor quality and not warm enough. Jackets have similar issues with quality as well as users complaining that the fit, durability and functionality weren’t up to the job. Adding footwear “that looks unprofessional” to the list, the basics are failing officers and police staff.
“[The] absence of conformity, with officers choosing to wear alternative items of police uniform, was regularly commented upon as being unacceptable and a significant contributory factor to a general drop in standards.”
The report includes feedback from police officers and police staff with specialist roles like firearms officers out of scope. The inspectors said that there is a “strong perception” from police officers and staff that those in senior and specialist roles get better quality uniform and that has led to “resentment.”
“The general feeling is that the current system is unfair, and frontline officers should be equally, if not better, provisioned, for the roles they perform.”
The 43-page report contains six recommendations for change, one of which says that frontline officers should be provided with the same quality of core uniform options as senior and specialist staff.
Police Scotland is, like all police forces, committed to a green agenda but in this report, the poor quality of the uniform as described by officers and police staff leads to it being disposed of and replaced more quickly than if the quality was better. “The view that ‘if you buy cheap, you buy twice’ was echoed across those interviewed.
When it comes to equality, the report finds the force lacking. For example, officers and staff with menopausal symptoms, who are pregnant, or medical conditions. HMICS acknowledged the efforts of the Scottish Women’s Development Forum to drive improvements for all women serving in the force.
On a more positive note, the report says that officers are “enthusiastic” about the recent introduction of body worn video and urge the expansion of taser roll-out across the force.
“Officers and staff associations welcomed the introduction of Tasers and BWV, considering both to be long overdue. Their deployment was widely regarded as a positive step toward enhancing officer protection during operational duties.”
The full report also includes findings on Personal Protective Equipment and technology solutions for managing uniform provision.
Read the full report here – Frontline focus – Tools of the trade.
To read similar articles, check out our Frontline channel.
