Unit 7 - POLICE ETHICS

Estimated working time: 9h

Language Learning Objectives:

– to develop knowledge about police ethics, types of unethical behavior, legitimacy
and trust, corruption, immorality etc.;
– to acquire relevant specific vocabulary related to the topic;
– to enhance speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English;
– to practice and use the vocabulary specific to different codes of ethics;
– to develop the communication skills in English.

Types of Unethical Behavior

T he vast majority of police officers are honest and ethical, at least in their
personal, or ordinary, morality (which may be different from their "role
morality" or police ethics), but all of them pay the price for decreased public
confidence and trust when there is little respect for police ethics.
There are two possible causes of public mistrust for police ethics:
- the perception that a police subculture exists that either turns good officers bad
or tolerates evil in policing
- the perception that most of policing is just a front for racial discrimination.
These perceptions affect all of policing, go to the heart of police role in society, and
involve ethical issues like trust.
There are a number of unethical behavior examples such as:
- Deviance - behavior inconsistent with the police culture's norms or values.
- Corruption - immoral, habitual behavior involving misuse of office for self-interest.
- Favoritism - unfair or unjust acts ("breaks") usually given to friends or relatives.
- Misconduct - wrongful violations of a police department's rules, policies, and
procedures. There are different types of misconduct usually classified as follows:
o Malfeasance - intentional commission of a prohibited act or intentional unjust
performance of some act of which the party had no right (e.g., gratuity,
perjury, use of police resources for personal use)
o Misfeasance - performance of a duty or act that one is obligated or permitted to
do in a manner which is improper, or negligent (e.g., report writing, unsafe
operation of motor vehicle, aggressively "reprimanding" a citizen, improper
searching of arrestees)
o Nonfeasance - failure to perform an act which one is obligated to do either by
law or directive due to omission or failure to recognize the obligation (e.g.,
failure to file report, improper stop, security breach).

Legitimacy and Trust

Legitimacy and trust are complex issues in policing. Legitimacy refers to how fair or
just the outcomes of policing are, and trust refers to a faith in the procedural justice of
policing. In practice, most researchers (e.g. Stoutland 2001) combine the two into one big
concept called TRUST and use the following indicators:
- Priorities (do the police share the same priorities as the public?)
 - Competency (do the police accomplish the requirements of their job?)
- Dependability (are the police dependable?)
- Respect (do the police treat people with respect?)
The indicators of shared priorities and respect are specific indicators of trust and the
indicators of competency and dependability are specific indicators of legitimacy. The police
need the public to have positive perceptions on all these indicators, which are usually seen as
the "four dimensions of trust" in police studies. Researchers (Hawdon et. al. 2003) have found
that about the only thing which is correlated with these indicators is police visibility (the
number of patrols in a neighborhood). Whether or not police officers stop to informally talk
with anybody doesn't matter, and neither does any attempt by police to engage in community
policing.
Image is everything, and a police officer who just needs to be seen, can be seen doing
anything, as long as it's not ridiculous. From the point of view that visibility is the only thing
that matters, being seen sleeping in a car would be a worse offense than being callous toward
citizens. Americans don't seem to want human beings as police officers, just machine-like
robots who fill up a uniform and stand visibly by for action and/or service.

Corruption and Immorality

Corruption is a subtype of immorality, and all corrupt actions are a subtype of
immoral action. However, not all immorality is corruption, and not all immoral acts are
corrupt acts. For example, minor lawbreaking by a police officer might count as immoral
without being an act of corruption. Also, negligent acts are sometimes immoral, but not
necessarily corrupt. Corrupt acts have a number of properties that other immoral actions do
not possess, such as:
- corruption involves manifestation of a regular disposition or habit on the part of the
officer;
- corruption exists when the law is seen as hopelessly inadequate and irredeemable,
such as when guilty offenders go unpunished;
- corruption is driven by narrow, personal or collective self-interest, such as the
financial gain of a group of employees or the career advancement of employee(s).
Just defining corruption can be problematic. Three examples should suffice. Goldstein
(1977), for example, defines corruption as "misuse of authority for personal gain." Both
elements must be present for this definition to apply. In other words, there must be some
misuse of authority (malfeasance) and some personal gain. Alternatively, McMullan (1961)
defines corruption as "accepting money or money's worth for doing something under a duty
not to do or to do anyway." This definition seems to get at misfeasance and nonfeasance, and
is generally regarded as relating to police "productivity" problems, or what is also called the
"selective nonenforcement" issue. A third definition comes from Lundman (1980) where
corruption is defined as "violations of conduct norms that are rarely enforced." This
definition seems ideal for analyzing situations where a police subculture is a culture within a
culture, and probably fits most any kind of malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance. It has
the advantage of focusing on "conduct" or actual behavior.

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

Codes are like firearms; they have their value and they have their dangers. One of the
more interesting questions to ask is why police created a code of ethics in the first place. It
may be that codes contain historically important clues to the contextual mandates for policing,
but more often than not, they represent aspirations toward the future without any clear
directions for how to get from one place (the past) to another (the future). The police code
illustrated below is designed to be like an oath of office, and the effectiveness of making
someone say "I will..." over and over again is debatable.

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

”As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve
mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against
deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful
against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all
men to liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain
courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-
restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in
thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be
exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my
department.
Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided in
me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is
necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices,
animosities or friendships to influence my decisions.
With no compromise for crime and the relentless prosecution of criminals, I
will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear of favor,
malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never
accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith,
and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the
ethics of the police service.
I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals,
dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession ...
law enforcement”

VOCABULARY
- appropriately = în mod adecvat
- badge = insignă
- breach = încălcare
- callous = aspru, dur, crud
- code of ethics = codul deontologic
- to confide (in) = a se încrede (în)
- courteous = politicos
- dependable = de nădejde, demn de încredere
- deviance = deviere
- to fail = a greşi
- gratuity = bacşiş
 - irredeemable = deznădăjduit, fără speranţă
- malfeasance = abuz; infracţiune
- malice = răutate
- misconduct = abatere; neglijenţă (în serviciu)
- misfeasance = abuz de putere; executare nelegală şi incorectă a unui act legal;
realizarea unor drepturi legale pe căi ilegale
- mistrust = neîncredere
- misuse of office = abuz în serviciu
- nonfeasance = eşec datorat nesupunerii faţă de autoritatea ierarhică/
nerecunoaşterii obligativităţii de a îndeplini o sarcină de serviciu
- to obey the law = a respecta legea
- oath of office = jurământ de credinţă
- officiously = cu servilism
- perjury = încălcare a jurământului, mărturie falsă
- scorn = dispreţ
- self-restraint = stăpânire de sine
- to strive = a se strădui; a se lupta
- unsullied = nepângărit
- welfare = bunăstare

EXERCISES
1) Match the definitions with the titles below:
1. Wrongful violations of a police department's rules, policies, and procedures.
2. Immoral, habitual behavior involving misuse of office for self-interest.
3. Behavior inconsistent with the police culture's norms or values.
4. Unfair or unjust acts ("breaks") usually given to friends or relatives.
A. Deviance
B. Favoritism
C. Corruption
D. Misconduct

2) Identify the term the definitions below refer to:

violations of conduct
misuse of authority norms that are rarely
for personal gain enforced
accepting money or money's
worth for doing something
under a duty not to do or to
do anyway
3) Use the correct verbs in the following description of the Common Curriculum on
Police Ethics & Corruption tasks:

ensure, demonstrate, develop (x3),

improve (x2),
strenghten (x2), follow, incorporate

The Common Curriculum on Police Ethics & Corruption is intended to:

- _________ awareness of the role of police in a democratic society;
- __________ and __________ knowledge about police ethics and the need for
prevention of corruption;
- ____________ that everyone has a responsibility to act in an ethical manner;
- ____________ the desire to behave in an ethical way and the ability to behave
correctly under pressure or in stressful situations;
- ___________ awareness of risks in day-to-day police work;
- _________ an ethical climate (managers);
- ____________ ethical behaviour in day-to-day police work;
- ____________ common European standards in policing;
- ____________ the quality of activities and _________ professionalism.

4) Translate the Romanian Law Enforcement Codes of Ethics into English:

„ Jur credinţă patriei mele, România,

Jur solemn să-mi apăr ţara,
chiar cu preţul vieţii.
Jur să respect legile ţării
şi regulamentele militare.
Aşa să-mi ajute Dumnezeu!”
Legea nr.46/05.06.1996

„ Jur să respect Constituţia,

drepturile şi libertăţile fundamentale ale omului,
să aplic în mod corect şi fără părtinire legile ţării,
să-mi îndeplinesc cu răspundere şi bună credinţă
îndatoririle ce-mi revin potrivit funcţiei
şi să păstrez secretul profesional.
Aşa să-mi ajute Dumnezeu!”
Jurământul de credinţă al poliţistului
 Unit 7 - Summary

1. Examples of unethical behavior:

Deviance - behavior inconsistent with the police culture's norms
or values.
Corruption - immoral, habitual behavior involving misuse of
office for self-interest.
Favoritism - unfair or unjust acts ("breaks") usually given to
friends or relatives.
Misconduct - wrongful violations of a police department's rules,
policies, and procedures.

2. Corruption is:
- misuse of authority for personal gain
- accepting money or money's worth for doing something under a
duty not to do or to do anyway
- violations of conduct norms that are rarely enforced

3. Police Code of Ethics - represents aspirations toward the

future. It is an oath of office.
 REFERENCES AND INTERNET RESOURCES

 Lundman, R. (1980). "Police misconduct." In R. J. Lundman (Ed.), Police Behavior: A

Sociological Perspective, (pp. 163-180). New York: Oxford University Press
 MacDonald, H. (2003). Are Cops Racist? Chicago: Ivan Dee.
 Manning, P. & Van Maanen, J. (Eds.) (1978). Policing: A View from the Street. Santa
Monica: Goodyear.
 McMullan, M., (1961). "A Theory of Corruption." Sociological Review, 9(2): 181-
201.
 Stoutland, S. (2001). "The Multiple Dimensions of Trust in Resident/Police
Relations," Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 33(3): 226-256.
 Unit 8 - ROMANIAN POLICE
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND RANKS
Estimated working time: 9h

Language Learning Objectives:

– to acquire relevant specific vocabulary related to the Romanian police
organization structure and ranks;
– to enhance speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English;
– to practice and use the vocabulary related to names of police structures and
institutions;
– to be able to make the correspondence between the Romanian and English ranks.

Romanian Police Label

Romanian Police
Poliţia Română
Common name Poliţia

Coat of arms of the Romanian Police

Motto Lex et Honor
Law and Honour
Agency overview
Formed 1990
Preceding agency Miliţia
Legal personality Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
National agency ROU
Law enforcement
General nature
Civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters Bucharest
Parent agency Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI)
 The Romanian Police are responsible for:
- the protection of the fundamental rights and liberties of the citizens and of the private
and public property
- the prevention and identification of criminal offenses and their perpetrators
- maintaining the public order and safety

Romanian Police Organization

General Inspectorate of Romanian Police is the central unit of police in Romania,
which manages, guides, supports and controls the activity of the Romanian police units,
investigates and analyses very serious crimes related to organized crime, economic, financial
or banking criminality, or to other crimes which make the object of the criminal cases
investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office of the Supreme Court of Justice, and which has any
other attributions assigned by law.
The organizational chart of General Inspectorate of Romanian Police includes general
directorates, directorates, services and, offices established by the order of the Minister of
Administration and Interior:
- Directorate for Operations Management
- Directorate for Human Resources Management
- Legal Directorate of the General Inspectorate of Romanian Police
- Directorate for Budget and Accounting
- Directorate for Internal Control
- Directorate for European Affairs, Programmes and International Cooperation
- Directorate for Intelligence Management and Analysis
- Service for Schengen and Personal Data Protection
- The International Police Cooperation Centre
The General Inspectorate is under the command of a General Inspector appointed by
the Minister of Administration and Interior.
Central units
General Directorate for Countering the Organized Crime - with 5 central directorates:
- Anti-Drug Directorate
- Directorate of Combating Human Trafficking
- Cyber Crime Directorate
- Directorate of Combating Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering
- Special Operations Directorate
and 15 regional Brigades of Countering Organized Criminality.
These Brigades are specialized units and have the mission to fight against organized
crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal migration, cyber crime, serious financial
frauds, financing terrorism and money laundering.
General Directorate for Criminal Investigations - with 3 central directorates:
- Fraud Investigations Directorate
- Criminal Investigations Directorate
- Directorate of Firearms, Explosives and Toxic Substances.
General Directorate for Public Safety Police - with 3 central directorates:
- Public Order Directorate
- Traffic Police Directorate
- Transport Police Directorate.
 Uniformed police agents from the Public Order Directorate

General Directorate for Administrative Police - with 4 central directorates:

- Forensics Institute
- Directorate for Criminal Records, Statistics and Operational Registry
- Directorate for Logistics Management
- Directorate for IT&C.
Under the command of the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police operates a
specialized intervention squad, The Independent Service of Special Interventions and
Operations.
Territorial units
The Romanian Police is divided into 41 County Police Inspectorates, corresponding to
each county, and The Bucharest General Directorate of Police.
Each County Police Inspectorate has a rapid reaction unit (Police Rapid Intervention
Squad). The similar unit attached to the Bucharest Police is called Police Rapid Intervention
Service.

Romanian Police Ranks

The ranks are denoted by the epaulettes or badges worn on all police uniforms
especially on the shoulders of the uniforms.

Commissioned Ranks
Military French police
Shoulder British Metropolitan
Rank Translated as rank rank
insignia Police rank equivalent
equivalent equivalent

Chestor- Police
Directeur des
general de Quaestor- General Commissioner
services actifs
poliţie General

Chestor-şef Police Chief- Lieutenant Inspecteur

Assistant Commissioner
de poliţie Quaestor General général
 Chestor Police
Major Contrôleur Deputy Assistant
principal de Principal
General général Commissioner
poliţie Quaestor

Chestor de Police Brigadier Contrôleur

Commander
poliţie Quaestor General général

Comisar-şef Police Chief- Commissaire

Colonel Chief Superintendent
de poliţie Commissioner divisionnaire

Comisar de Police Lieutenant Commissaire

Superintendent Grade I
poliţie Commissioner Colonel de police

Subcomisar Police Sub-

Major Commandant Superintendent
de poliţie Commissioner

Inspector Police
principal de Principal Captain Capitaine Chief Inspector
poliţie Inspector

Inspector de Police
Lieutenant Lieutenant Inspector
poliţie Inspector

Subinspector Police Sub- Second Lieutenant Temporary/Probationary

de poliţie Inspector Lieutenant intern Inspector

Non-commissioned Ranks
Shoulder Military rank French police British police
Rank Translated as
insignia equivalent rank equivalent rank equivalent

Agent-şef
Police Principal Sergeant Station
principal de Brigadier-major
Chief Agent Major Sergeant
poliţie

Agent-şef de Police Chief Station

Staff Sergeant Brigadier-chef
poliţie Agent Sergeant
Agent-şef
Police Deputy
adjunct de Sergeant Brigadier Sergeant
Chief Agent
poliţie

Agent
Police Principal Gardien de la
principal de Corporal Acting Sergeant
Agent paix
poliţie

Agent de Gardien de la
Police Agent Private Constable
poliţie paix stagiare

VOCABULARY
- advancement from …to …= promovare în funcţie de la ... la ...
- appointment = numire în funcţie
- assistant = ajutor de; adjunct
- badge = emblemă, semn distinctiv; insignă
- board = conducere, consiliu, comisie
- brigade = detaşament, brigadă
- county = judeţ
- department = department
- deputy = adjunct, ajutor, locţiitor
- designation = desemnare, numire
- directorate = direcţie
- division = divzie; compartiment
- epaulette = epolet
- headquarters = centru de comandă
- insignia = decoraţie, distincţie, însemn al gradului militar; tresă (milit.); stea (milit.)
- inspectorate = inspectorat
- to outrank = a avea un grad/rang mai mare
- precint = secţie de poliţie
- service = serviciu (în cadrul unei structuri organizatorice)
- squad = detaşament, formaţie militară

EXERCISES
1) Identify the Romanian ranks by the shoulder insignia:
 __________________ __________________ _____________________

__________________ ___________________ _____________________

__________________ ____________________ _____________________

__________________ ____________________ ______________________

__________________ _____________________ _____________________

2) Classify the following ranks into commissioned and non-commissioned ones:

Inspector, Police Deputy Chief Agent, Police Sub-Commissioner, Commander, Police
Principal Inspector, Police Principal Agent, Chief Superintendent, Police Quaestor-General,
Police Commissioner, Station Sergeant, Police Quaestor, Police Principal Agent, Police
Agent, Police Chief-Quaestor, Police Chief Agent, Police Principal Quaestor, Constable,
Police Principal Chief Agent, Police Inspector, Police Chief-Commissioner, Police Sub-
Inspector

Commissioned Ranks Non-commissioned Ranks

3) Find the Romanian police rank equivalent for:

Ranks Romanian police rank equivalent

Sergeant Major (military)
Deputy Assistant Commissioner
General (military)
Colonel (military)
Station Sergeant
Commissioner
Commander
Major (military)
Chief Superintendent
Sergeant
Assistant Commissioner
Superintendent
Lieutenant General (military)
Inspector
Superintendent Grade I
Constable
Probationary Inspector
Station Sergeant
Acting Sergeant
Chief Inspector
Captain (military)
Brigadier General (military)
Lieutenant Colonel (military)
Second Lieutenant (military)
 Unit 8 - Summary

1. The ranks are denoted by the epaulettes or badges worn on

all police uniforms especially on the shoulders of the
uniforms. Police ranks are commissioned and non-
commissioned.

2. Commissioned Ranks are:

- Police Quaestor-General
- Police Chief-Quaestor
- Police Principal Quaestor
- Police Quaestor
- Police Chief-Commissioner
- Police Commissioner
- Police Sub-Commissioner
- Police Principal Inspector
- Police Inspector
- Police Sub-Inspector

3. Non-commissioned Ranks are:

- Police Principal Chief Agent
- Police Chief Agent
- Police Deputy Chief Agent
- Police Principal Agent
- Police Agent
 REFERENCES AND INTERNET RESOURCES

http://www.police999.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=54:general-
police-info&id=1444:uk-police-ranks
http://www.police.nl/PoliceGB/RANKS.HTM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_ranks_of_the_United_States
http://www.careerpoliceofficer.com/PoliceandPolice/police_rank_insignias.htmlhttp://letcone
x.blogspot.com/2011/04/romanian-police-ranks.html
http://www.google.ro/images?hl=ro&source=hp&q=police+organizational+structure&btnG
=C%C4%83utare+Google&gbv=2&oq=police+organizational+structure&aq=f&aqi=&aql
=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=13000l28187l0l30953l31l31l0l21l0l0l1031l2891l2-
1.2.1.1.0.1l6l0&oi=image_result_group&sa=X
 Unit 9 - POLICE UNIFORM
Estimated working time: 9h

Language Learning Objectives:

– to acquire relevant specific vocabulary related to the police uniform: history,
colors, public perception, personal equipment etc.;
– to enhance speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English;
– to practice and use the vocabulary related to the police uniform: pieces of clothes
in accordance with the type of the police uniform, protective equipment etc.;
– to encourage the communication in English .

History

P rior to a public police force, cities often used citizen watchmen, sometimes
identified by a badge but often in plain clothes. In 1829 London established the
first modern police force, including a uniform dress code. They chose dark blue
for the police because the British military wore red and white. Following their lead, including
the color choice, U.S. police departments began to institute dress codes. New York was the
first in 1853.
In the late 20th century police uniforms changed to increase mobility, visibility and
safety of officers. British officers now wear a black stab vest, black cargo pants, white shirt,
black boots and reflective jacket. U.S. police forces now offer a range of uniforms depending
on unit, job function and season. Bicycle officers wear short pants and golf shirts, while
special weapons and tactics teams (SWAT) wear body armor, helmets and full-face visors.
Why the Dark Colors?
Around the world, most police uniforms are dark colored. Blue and black are most
common, while in environments known more for trees than skyscrapers, dark brown or green
are popular. The psychological reason for this is that dark colors are associated with strength.
There are practical concerns too: dark colors allow officers to camouflage themselves in urban
or dark situations. Plus, practically, dark colors hide stains so the uniform will look better,
longer.
Public Perception
Although dark colors are associated with strength, they are also associated with evil
and aggression. For example, the New York Police Department replaced dark blue with what
was perceived to be a more friendly blue, after riots in the 1960s and cases of police
corruption in the 1970s. Though in the late 20th century, when citizens sought safety from
terrorism, the uniforms returned to dark blue.

Police Uniforms and Equipment in the United Kingdom

Police uniforms increase visibility, so criminals would curb their activity in the
presence of an officer and a citizen in distress could easily spot an officer in a crowd.
Police uniforms and equipment in the United Kingdom have varied considerably from
the inception of what was to become the earliest recognisable mainstream police force in the
country with the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829. Allowing the formation of the Metropolitan
Police Service, and the various County Police Acts, policing became a more standardised
practice in the United Kingdom throughout the late nineteenth century, the uniforms and
equipment became equally standardised.

The trenchcoated British police officers of 1919

Current Uniform (No.1 Dress)

Formal uniform comprises an open-necked tunic (with or without an attached belt,
depending on the force and rank of the Officer) and trousers or skirt, worn with a white or
light blue shirt and black tie. Although most forces once wore blue shirts, these have been less
used since the 1980s, and most now wear white. Officers of the rank of Inspector and above
have always worn white shirts, and in many forces so have female officers. In some forces,
female officers wear a black and white cravat instead of a tie. Officers of the rank of Sergeant
and above wear rank badges on the epaulettes of their shirts, while Constables and Sergeants
also wear "collar numbers" on them. Shoulder numbers in the Metropolitan Police are
displayed on the shoulder of the tunic (despite the lack of epaulettes on the tunic in junior
ranks) as are all rank insignia (except for that of Sergeant, which are displayed in the form of
a badge on the sleeve). No.1 dress is worn with black, polished shoes or boots. Constables
and Sergeants in English and Welsh forces wear the Custodian Helmet with this dress. At
more formal occasions, such as funerals and parades, white gloves are worn.
Working Dress
Until 1994 this was also the everyday working uniform, but today it is rarely seen
except on formal occasions. The normal working dress retains the shirt and trousers. In some
forces short sleeved shirts may be worn open-necked. Long sleeved shirts must always be
worn with a tie or cravat, worn with or without a jersey. If a jersey or jacket is worn over a
short sleeved shirt, then a tie must be worn. In 2002, Strathclyde Police replaced the white
shirts with black T-shirts with stab vest on top, for the majority of officers on duty. Some
forces use combat trousers (trousers are of a cargo pocket style i.e. two thigh pockets and two
conventional side pockets) and boots. Today, female officers almost never wear a skirt in
working dress, and frequently wear trousers in formal dress as well. Officers also frequently
wear reflective waterproof jackets, which have replaced the old greatcoats traditionally worn
in inclement weather. Most officers now wear stab vests, a type of body armour, when on
duty.
Basic headgear is a cap for men, and a round bowler style hat for women. All officers
wear a black and white (red and white for the City of London Police) band (called Sillitoe
Tartan) around the hat, a distinction first used in Scotland and later adopted by all forces in
Great Britain. Traffic officers wear white cap covers. On foot duty, male constables and
sergeants outside Scotland wear the familiar conical custodian helmet. There are several
patterns, with different forces wearing different types. Although some Scottish forces have
used helmets in the past, they are no longer worn in Scotland.
A Hampshire Constabulary custodian Police officers in white shirt and helmets
("bobby") helmet

Metropolitan Police officers in Greater Manchester Police Mounted Unit

hi-visibility jackets in ceremonial uniform at the city parade

From the 1990s it was generally accepted that the police could patrol in "shirt-sleeve
order" which meant that they need not wear the jacket. In 1994 the Home Office, in
agreement with the government and on the cooperation of many Chief Constables, changed
the uniform from the business attire with no protection of the torso, to a uniform with black
trousers, Blue NATO Jumper, stab vest, duty belt and reflective jacket.
Although there are minor variations in the styling, pattern and insignia, the police
forces of Great Britain, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar all wear very similar
uniforms. In general, these have taken their lead from the Metropolitan Police Service, due to
it being recognised as the first police service in England. The base colour is a very dark blue,
almost indistinguishable from black (and recently often is black), which earned the police the
nickname of the "boys in blue".
Equipment that an Officer May Carry
Various items of equipment are usually carried on the duty belt of uniformed officers,
although some have pouches attached to their stab vest, eliminating the need for a belt. Plain-
clothes officers may wear a harness which can be worn under clothes.
- Baton (either extendable, telescopic or rigid)
-
Airwave personal radio
 -
CS/PAVA Incapacitant Spray
-
Police notebook
-
Personal digital assistants (some forces)
-
Torch
-
Speedcuffs
-
X26 Taser (for specially trained officers)
Extra equipment, such as a first aid kit (including a pocket mask, disposable gloves,
germicidal wipes, hypoallergenic tape, wound dressings, a triangular bandage and sterile
plasters), may be stored in a patrol car.
Protective Equipment
Firearms
In the United Kingdom, the majority of police officers do not routinely carry firearms.
This originates from the formation of the Metropolitan Police in the nineteenth century, when
police were not armed, partly to counter public fears and objections concerning armed
enforcers. Every territorial police force has a number of officers who are routinely armed in
units generally called Armed Response Vehicles. Certain specialist squads, such as the Flying
Squad, Special Branch, Diplomatic Protection Group, Royalty Protection Branch, and officers
protecting airports along with government buildings, are also armed.
Tasers
Until recently, Tasers were only issued to Authorised Firearms Officers and their use
was governed by the same rules of engagement as regular firearms. The use of Tasers is
governed by the Association of Chief Police Officers policy which states: “Tasers are to be
deployed with Specially Trained Officers, where the authorising officer has reason to suppose
that they, in the course of their duty, may have to protect the public, themselves and/or the
subject(s) at incidents of violence or threats of violence of such severity that they will need to
use force.”
Incapacitant spray
All officers carry CS/PAVA incapacitant sprays. Their effects are designed to be short-
lived, within 30–60 minutes and clearing more quickly in well-ventilated areas.
Batons
Until the mid-1990s most police forces utilised a 14 inch long traditional wooden
truncheon. It was then replaced by long American-style batons. The use of batons varies
across the country and each force selects which baton is best able to fulfill its needs and
provide the best protection to officers. Expandable batons are popular, although the PR-24
Monadnock (a side-handled baton) or the Monadnock Straight Lock baton is used in some
forces.

Romanian Police Uniform

 VOCABULARY
- attire = îmbrăcăminte
- belt = curea
- body arm(o)ur = armură
- boots = cizme; bocanci
- bowler (hat) = gambetă; pălărie melon
- to deploy = a (se) desfăşura
- full-face visor = vizor pentru întreaga faţă
- formal dress = ţinută formală/oficială
- harness = harnaşament; hamuri
- helmet = coif; cască
- jacket = jachetă; veston
- mainstream = ideile şi opiniile considerate normale deoarece sunt acceptate de
societate
- pants = pantaloni
- plain clothes = haine civile
- pocket = buzunar
 - reflective jacket = geacă reflectorizantă
- shirt = cămaşă
- side pocket = buzunar lateral
- skirt = fustă
- sleeve = mânecă
- shoes = pantofi
- skyscraper = blocuri zgârie nori
- to spot = a observa
- to stab = a injunghia
- stab vest = vestă de protecţie
- stain = pată
- stocking = ciorap (lung)
- strenght = putere
- tie/cravat = cravată
- trousers = pantaloni
- truncheon = bâtă
- watchman = paznic
- waterproof vest = vestă impermeabilă
- whistle = fluier
- working dress = ţinută de lucru

EXERCISES
1) What is the significance of the black colour of the British police uniform and what’s
the public perception on it?
2) What does the “protective equipment” consist of?
3) Fill in the gaps with the correct prepositions:

of, for, at, by, from, until, through,

due to, on, to, in, across

a) ________ the time, burglary was a common problem _______police, therefore it was
legal ______ own a pistol _______ self-defence.
b) Female officers' uniforms have gone _________ a variety ______ styles, as they have
tended _______ reflect the women's fashions _________ the time.
c) _______ 1994 the dress uniform was the everyday working uniform, but today it is rarely
seen except _______ formal occasions.
d) Basic headgear is a peaked cap _______ men, and a round bowler style hat _____
women.
e) The badges consist ______ the wearer's rank, followed _______ their surname.
f) Officers _______ the Police Service ______ Northern Ireland wear a uniform which is
somewhat different, _______ the political situation.
g) ______ the end _____2004, the majority ______ the existing police radio spectrum,
which was subject ______ serious interference ____ some areas, was to be withdrawn.
h) The need _____ a police protective equipment originates _____ the formation ____ the
Metropolitan Police _______ the nineteenth century.
i) The traditional wooden truncheon was replaced _______ long American-style batons.
j) The use ______ batons varies ______ the country and each force selects which baton is
best able _____ fulfill its needs.
4) Read the text and answer the questions. Use no more than 10 words.
Prior to a public police force, cities often used citizen watchmen, sometimes identified by a
badge but often in plain clothes. In 1829 London established the first modern police force,
including a uniform dress code. They chose dark blue for the police because the British
military wore red and white. Following their lead, including the color choice, U.S. police
departments began to institute dress codes. New York was the first in 1853. Early uniforms
consisted of a high-collared, tailed, dark navy wool coat with shiny buttons, and a cane top
hat. By the 1950s, the U.S. uniform included blue pants, blue shirt and a flat cap with a visor
on the front. The British police evolved similarly, though blue became black. They continued
to use the peaked helmet though additional hat styles were approved including a bowler, flat
cap and bicycle helmet. These uniforms are now considered dress wear and worn at funerals
and formal occasions.

1. Who were guarding the cities before the police establishment as an institution in
UK?
2. When was the first modern police force established in London?
3. Why did they choose the dark blue colour for police uniforms?
4. What does the US early police coat look like?
5. What happened with the first uniforms worn by the early police?

5) Find ten police clothes items and protective equipment in the crossword below:

X W B O D Y A R M O U R N S
C O M B A T T R O U S E R S
V R A N K B A D G E S B H O
I K T O E P U T J O D J T J
L I G E O T U N I C E D Y K
O N E J H K E I B I A U K S
P G I K E P A U L E T T E S
Y D V L L N H A V A E Y R V
J R B E M Z J K E G F B P E
P E A K E D C A P J B E U A
O S U V T Q P R I L C L O D
E S H D S T A B V E S T L P

6) How many uniforms do you have? Name them and then describe the Romanian
uniforms from the pictures above.
7) Select five terms and expressions from the vocabulary list and make sentences.

Unit 9 - Summary
1. Police uniforms are dark colored because they:
- serve to camouflage police officers in urban or dark situations
- hide the stains

2. Police uniform items:

- tunic
- belt
- trousers/combat trousers or skirt
- white or light blue shirt
- black tie
- stab vest
- shoes/boots
- helmet/bowler/hat

3. Equipment officers may carry:

- Baton (either extendable, telescopic or rigid)
-
Airwave personal radio
-
CS/PAVA Incapacitant Spray
-
Police notebook
-
Personal digital assistants (some forces)
-
Torch
-
Speedcuffs
-
X26 Taser (for specially trained officers)

REFERENCES AND INTERNET RESOURCES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Police
http://www.politiaromana.ro/Engleza/central_directorates.htm
Adapted from:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5475574_history-police-uniform.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_uniforms_and_equipment_in_the_United_Kingdom
Read more:
The History of the Police Uniform | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/about_5475574_history-police-uniform.html#ixzz1RVdtR9Pi