New national survey highlights issues with 'ill-fitting' police uniforms

11 August 2025

Suffolk Police Federation says it is ready to work with the Force on issues surrounding officer kit and uniform following the publication of a hard-hitting national report.

According to the study, police officers and staff in England and Wales are frustrated with their uniforms which they say, are unfit for purpose, restrictive, and contribute to health issues.

The survey heard from 20,8383 respondents, of which 86% were police officers and 14% police staff, with 34% female and 66% male.

It found that 64% of respondents in Suffolk Constabulary had reported at least one health issue believed to be caused or made worse by their uniform.

This was the joint eighth highest in England and Wales and above the national average of 60%. 

 

 

The majority of respondents (56%) in England and Wales reported their overall experience of wearing the police uniform as negative. The figure within Suffolk Police was slightly higher (59%).

Darren Harris, Suffolk Police Federation chair, said: “We are aware of issues for our members with their uniform and equipment, and this report shows just how widespread the problems are.

“Uniform is a key part of being a police officer and it is vital it is both comfortable and practical.

“This study also highlights just how much police officer health and wellbeing, safety, and performance depends on their uniform.

“We will be sharing the results of this report with the Force and offering our support to inform future decisions on uniform and equipment.

Changes

"We want to help to ensure it is fit for purpose and fit for everyone.”

The National Uniform and Equipment Survey was led by Dr Camilla De Camargo and Dr Stephanie Wallace, from Lancaster University Law School, working in collaboration with Police Federation of England & Wales’s (PFEW) senior researcher Sahrish Khan, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Dr De Camargo said: “We are shocked by the results but, unfortunately, not surprised - it is important to be able to highlight these issues on such a large scale.

“We hope this evidence can lead to impactful changes that improve the lives of uniform wearers every day.” 

Almost seven out of 10 (69%) of respondents reported negative experiences with cargo trousers. This was the most challenging item of clothing, PFEW said.

The report found that 61% of officers in England and Wales say their body armour ‘worsened their uniform experience’. This was the second most problematic item of uniform.

PFEW’s headline recommendations to improve uniform and equipment included setting the highest minimum national standards. It also recommends establishing a single point of accountability in the form of a Strategic Uniform Board, and to have continuous review and feedback.

Researchers

PFEW National Board members Belinda Goodwin and Zac Mader, who have worked closely with the researchers, said: “The national survey findings are disquieting to the say the least.

“Our officers put their lives on the line day in and day out to provide the highest standards of service which the public rightly expects from them.

“Yet, seven in 10 officers find their uniform restricts their movement thereby reducing their effectiveness, while more than five in 10 officers find their current body armour uncomfortable.

“These factors significantly heighten risk to officer safety and impact their ability to keep their communities safe.

“How can it be right that on one hand our employers and the Government are adopting modern technology and costly artificial intelligence assisted equipment such as drones, and on the other hand they refuse to invest in basic day-to-day equipment such as new age uniform and body armour for our officers and staff?

“We ardently appeal to our employers and the Government to take cognisance of the independent evidence obtained by this pioneering study to immediately devote resources to provide our officers with uniform that is fit for purpose and fit for all.”

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