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Smarten up, new Met chief tells his force
12.02.09
The new head of the Met has called on officers to "smarten up" and return to the "old-fashioned" policing values of pride and professionalism.
Sir Paul Stephenson told a police conference he preferred traditional uniforms rather than fleeces and short-sleeved shirts, and wanted an end to "scruffy" officers.
He said he believed in basics, including taking pride in uniforms and looking smart.
Attempts to modernise the look of police with fleeces and baseball caps rather than helmets have not proved popular with the public.
Addressing 2,000 officers and staff, Sir Paul, who was named Metropolitan Police commissioner two weeks ago, said he wanted every sworn officer, police community support officer and member of staff to abide by the five Ps of professionalism, pride, presence, productivity and performance.
He also called on his officers to leave their desk as much as possible, saying "performance" was about "catching criminals".
The two-hour speech and question-and-answer session near Scotland Yard was said to have been well received by those who attended.
Sir Paul has built himself a reputation for straight-talking and on the day he was appointed, said he didn't want to become "a celebrity".
He said he would do things differently from his predecessor Sir Ian Blair.
Reader views (6)
A nice new headline for a nice new commissioner.
I don't care what they wear as long as they do the job.
If we worked on this principle for the army, we would have the guards going to war with bearskins on,I think he should give the police a uniform that is fit for purpose rather than fit for photographs.
- S.White, Northampton+London
But will they come out to where we need them, on the streets day and night?? So that we can see these real police uniforms??
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
"The new head of the Met has called on officers to "smarten up" and return to the "old-fashioned" policing values of pride and professionalism."- That'll be him out on his backside by the end of next week then!
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
Out could go the yellow reflector jackets because everyone is wearing them. Out could go helmets except for ceremonial in favour of a smart cap for both men and women.Out could go duplication of effort allowing, for example, amalgamating traffic, sea and airport forces with the British Transport Police. Out could gho some chiefs making way for more Indians...
- Peter Seekings-Foster, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Surely this will be against someone's Human rights and/or alienate a section of the community and so will disappear in the name of diversity
- Jim, London
Could not agree more. As a former MET officer I know that the standard of smartness has fallen considerably over the past 10 years. Some of this is due to the poor quality and design of the uniform, some due to the lack of supervision at parades and briefings. The current top coats look particularly illfitting and untidy, as they were never designed to be worn over bulky equipment belts and protective vests. I cannot see why all 43 police forces should not have the same basic uniform, with variations for individual specialist units within each force.
- Pat, South of England
