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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Jilly Beattie

New PSNI uniform trial adds comfort to frontline kit

The PSNI today launches a proposed new uniform that retains the dark green colour associated with policing in Northern Ireland for almost 100 years.

Chief Constable Simon Byrne issued details of a three-month pilot for the planned change.

The 20-year-old PSNI emblem remains the same and the emphasis is now on providing modern policing kit that's fit for purpose and comfortable.

However the images released by the police show men and women modelling a black kit.

And Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: "The colour of the pilot uniform is bottle green, which is same colour used in our existing uniforms."

The current PSNI uniform (PSNI)

The Chief Constable said: "From today, you may see officers in some areas wearing a different style of uniform. 150 officers from a range of operational positions and locations are taking part in a three-month trial.

"The current uniform has been in existence since the formation of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and, as a consequence, it is right that we should look at how effective it is almost 20 years on.

"It is important that we equip our frontline officers with professional, modern workwear, which is fit for purpose.

"That’s why we are reviewing how our uniform remains practical and comfortable, in support of our officers as they perform their duties.

"In developing the new uniform options we have listened to feedback from frontline officers and the Police Federation.

"Our officers work at the heart of communities and, therefore it is also fitting that we listen to what communities think during the pilot phase.

"As part of the pilot, we will be engaging with a number of key internal and external stakeholders."

A PSNI Federation spokesperson said: "It's important that the PSNI uniform meets the needs of officers and projects a professional image in service delivery to the public.

"We have been briefed on the pilot and rationale behind the review.

"On completion of the trial, the PSNI will report back to the Board on the findings."

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