The cap is cosmetically acceptable but extremely impractical. Consider the need to look up at the higher floors of buildings, to inspect scaffolding and to communicate with the drivers of vehicles. It is next to impossible to carry out these tasks properly without removing the cap. Furthermore, whenever officers need to run, the cap is an absolute encumbrance.

When working in situations involving suspects with firearms, I may say that there is no way it can be considered safe to wear the cap considering the inherent restriction to an individual's field of vision. In other situations too, the wearing of the cap hinders police work. I recall the story of a senior officer - since retired - at the very stressful Garley Building fire giving an instruction for extremely busy officers to put their caps on.

Moreover, when one has to deal with emotional people, in order to secure the desired outcome it is wise, and sometimes courteous, to remove the cap to soften the formal, intimidating or aggressive appearance it can give.

I strongly recommend the reviewing body scrap the cap for everyday use, reserving it only for formal interviews or ceremonial duties. It is useless. Imagine the loss of dignity an officer suffers when a bad character knocks the cap from his head, or the poor image projected when one sees caps slipping off during physically challenging crowd control duties.

I also suggest, regarding uniforms, there is nothing more ridiculous than the appearance of District Internal Security platoons going up to the Police Tactical Unit wearing full riot gear - with caps (and the jungle hats that are sometimes issued).

Force officers should always look sharp and not slovenly, and there is no way I advocate the wearing of American-style baseball caps. But the Force cap is impractical. Surely if it is possible for PTU, Marine officers, the Driving Cadre and Emergency Unit officers to wear berets, then consideration could be given to issuing them to the rest of the uniformed Force members.

I hope these comments are appreciated in the constructive tone they are intended. The cap should go along with the rest of the awkward and impractical colonial-style uniform. Finally, senior management needs to be aware that their firm insistence on officers wearing the cap at all times, and the attendant threat of disciplinary action, is adversely affecting performance and morale.

Jim Walker
Commander, Patrol Sub-Unit 3
Happy Valley Division

Uniform police officers are required to dress in uniform while on duty. The cap is a part of the police uniform which makes officers readily identifiable by members of the public. It also forms an integral part of the police image, which has been established over the decades. Police worldwide wear the caps which carry a positive image. It is an item officers in general wear with pride.

I cannot agree with the suggestion the appearance of the cap is intimidating or aggressive. The cap, in fact, also provides various forms of protection to the wearer. The Force is committed to continuously improving our uniform and accoutrements. Currently a review of the cap is being conducted with a view to identifying one with better comfort and ventilation.

Law Cheuk-hung
Superintendent, Field, Support