Cooler uniform sought by policemen

Press, 22 January 1979, Page 11

Cooler uniform sought by policemen

PA Wellington Policemen are pressing for a cooler and more casual summer uniform: they want the option of wearing opennecked short-sleeved shirts and shorts in hot weather. The pressure comes after a request at Christmas that they be allowed to take off ties and roll up shirt sleeves was rejected. The Police Association’s national secretary (Dr R. A. Moodie) spoke out strongly in Wellington about the extra burden present uni-' forms placed on policemen' when temperatures were high. In some districts men (were working in 30deg or 40deg and they were finding it intolerable. New Zealand has a police force <rf about 5000. Of these, 4500. tip to the rank senior sergeant, are eli-

l gible to join the association. Only three or four are not members according to Dr Moodie. The present police summer uniform is a long--1 sleeved shirt and tie and long trousers. Summer-uniform standards : were relaxed in 1973 but f only temporarily. Now the association wants a permanent relaxation. Dr Mdodie said that dress , generally was now more casual. The association be- : lieved it was important for • Ipolicemen to merge with the public they were working : with. A uniform carried some I authority but it was imperar tive that prflicemen were ; comfortable in their work and the climatic conditions. : Dr Moodie said that more f casual summer dress should :be available for police-, - women, trto.