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New and improved uniforms on the way
 SP Felix Law with some overseas caps under study |
Officers are set to get their gear upgraded with new Force-issue caps and other accoutrements now in development.
Support Wing is liaising with manufacturers and studying designs of police caps from around the world to develop a more comfortable, durable and practical upgrade.
Superintendent (Field) Felix Law Cheuk-hung said the new caps could be available in about a year's time once a design was finalised, tested, approved and tendered.
Caps were among a host of new developments to upgrade uniforms and accoutrements, some of which will be implemented in weeks.
Mr Law said new caps would take into account feedback from officers on the downfalls of the present design. Some have been highlighted in OffBeat's letters pages recently, particularly on the caps' rigidity, discomfort and tendency to slip off when running or during physical confrontations.
"It is one of our primary objectives to make the new caps as comfortable as possible and to ensure they are waterproof. We are looking at materials such as Goretex which is light weight, weather resistant and comfortable with good ventilation," he said.
"The existing cap is very rigid and sometimes falls off. We want to have something with a band which can conform to the shape of the head. We hope officers will be able to wear the new caps in about a year's time.
"We aim to keep the basic look of the cap, but make it better and more comfortable by calling on the experience of overseas forces."
Mr Law said the changes were all part of the Force's on-going review of uniforms and accoutrements which he stressed emphasised 'evolution' rather than 'revolution'.
Officers will soon be issued with new nylon waist pouches which will incorporate officers' feedback on previous models.
It was hoped the pouches would soon be accompanied by new nylon belts which will drastically reduce weight and boost comfort.
Nylon designs were now being studied to replace the traditional leather features, not only substantially reducing the weight, but also providing water-resistance while retaining strength and durability.
The trial on new boot designs was recently completed and comments from officers were now being compiled to produce a prototype replacement for the shoes used by patrol officers. The boots will provide more grip, comfort, water resistance and ventilation, while giving more protection, particularly around the ankle.
New uniform fabrics were also being looked at, providing better ventilation and possibly even fire and wrinkle resistance.
"It is hoped these measures will improve the standard of uniform and equipment used by front-line officers in terms of occupational safety and comfort," Mr Law said.