Federation hopes landmark uniform survey will mark a turning point in kit and equipment

21 August 2025

West Mercia Federation says a landmark survey into police uniforms and equipment is long overdue.

The survey has revealed widespread frustration among police officers and staff in England and Wales.

Many describe their kit as unfit for purpose and a direct cause of health issues.

Steve Butler hopes the National Uniform and Equipment Survey, the first of its kind, will prove to be a turning point, with priority given to ‘officer’s wellbeing, practicality, and operational effectives’.

Speaking on behalf of the branch, Steve said: “Uniform is a huge part of being a police officer and should help our members to do the job, not hinder them.

 

 

“We’ve known there are issues with kit and equipment, particularly for our female colleagues, who report in this survey lasting health problems crushed breasts, breathing difficulties, and musculoskeletal problems.

“This national survey shines a light on the issues being experienced by officers and staff.

“It is well overdue but welcome, and hopefully it marks a turning point.

“We need the highest possible minimum standards for uniform so it is fit for purpose and fit for all.”

Uniforms

Steve added that ergonomics must be at the centre of decision-making when it comes to purchasing uniforms and equipment.

“For too long, wearability has been overlooked, with comfort often sacrificed in the name of cost savings,” Steve said. “This must stop.

“Officers should have uniforms and equipment that are not only functional but also cutting-edge in terms of comfort and suitability for the demands of their role.

“A clear example is our custodian street helmets used in foot patrol. These appear purely ceremonial, with little consideration for the wearer.

“When you compare their cost to flat caps or bumper caps, which are more likely to be worn regularly, it simply doesn’t make sense.

“Uniform and equipment design must prioritise the officer’s wellbeing, practicality, and operational effectiveness.”

Survey

The survey heard from 20,8383 respondents, with 86 per cent police officers and 14 per cent police staff, 34 per cent female and 66 per cent male.

The majority of respondents reported their overall experience of wearing police uniform as negative (56 per cent). The figure in West Mercia Police was 61 per cent, with 17 per cent saying their experience was positive.

The study also found that 59 per cent of respondents in West Mercia Police had reported at least one health issue believed to be caused or made worse by their uniform. This was below the national figure (60 per cent).

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 and 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.” 

Trousers

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

The report found that 61 per cent 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 Steve’s call for the highest minimum national standards.

Their recommendations also included establishing a single point of accountability in the form of a Strategic Uniform Board, and to have continuous review and feedback.

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

Uncomfortable

“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 (chief constables) 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 wake up and 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.”

READ MORE: Fed backs Force over spending shortfall.