All Police Forces Police Mess Dress

[IMP]

Most likely a different manufacture period. I will try to dig out both uniforms and photograph them with the trousers and post them to the site

[peter monahan]

On 9/14/2017 at 09:35, SemperParatus said:

This mess dress thing is not as worrisome as the trend in Canada of emergency services being granted Colours.

I have to agree.  I wasn't able to read the scrolls on the Winnipeg Police flag but one wonders what a police force would consider a 'battle honour'.  In their case, I hope it doesn't include the infamous general Strike of 1919!   Colours seem a very odd affectation for what is now a 'paramilitary' organization only in the loosest sense.  Flashier uniforms I can understand but this is just odd!

[badjez]

I vaguely remember that the City of London Police Special Constabulary senior officers wore Mess Dress at functions in the Guildhall and Mansion House. They were still in use around 2005. They were a mix of Oxford blue and Cambridge blue if I remember correctly.

 

I have attached pictures of a Mess Dress waistcoat worn by the City of London Police Reserve. I didn't note where the pictures came from so if anyone recognises them and wants to acknowledge copyright I'll be glad to do so.

 

Stephen. 

[BRB PEELER]

Holy thread resurrection bat man !

Police mess dress in theory can be worn by all ranks  but generally inspector and above .

see picture , only change force to force is the collar dogs on lapels 

The only variation to this is the HAC Police det of the City of London Police Special Constabulary .

They wear a variation of the HAC cavalry cut mess kit but with Royal Blue instead of red facings and HAC SC collar dogs

They are the only ones who wear it with remainder of the force in the kit attached .

 

[Tony Farrell]

Could you expand on what the HAC police detatchment is? Are they TA who are also specials?

[Trooper_D]

1 hour ago, Tony Farrell said:

Could you expand on what the HAC police detatchment is? Are they TA who are also specials?

Straight from the horse's mouth

https://www.hac.org.uk/home/special-constabulary/

[BRB PEELER]

What he said , our HAC specials are special constables first and foremost , they are unique in they are also members of the HAC . 

The HAC as an organisation has a number of facets and is an institution in its own right sworn to defend the crown , it’s operational element consists of 2 parts

The HAC Rregiment (part of the Army reserve )

The HAC Special Constabulary detachment .( who are part of CoLP) 

 

[Tony Farrell]

Every day a school day. Ta. ☺️

[bigjarofwasps]

On 04/03/2019 at 14:53, BRB PEELER said:

What he said , our HAC specials are special constables first and foremost , they are unique in they are also members of the HAC . 

The HAC as an organisation has a number of facets and is an institution in its own right sworn to defend the crown , it’s operational element consists of 2 parts

The HAC Rregiment (part of the Army reserve )

The HAC Special Constabulary detachment .( who are part of CoLP) 

 

Interesting that they don't have their own unique version of the LSGC (along the same lines as the RUC had). 

[BRB PEELER]

Yes I wondered if they would manage to get the HAC ribbon passed for the SC LSGC  which would be very natty but I personally feel a little devisive.

I think the Police as a service would put its foot down ( imho rightly so)  , the HAC officers are City of London Police first and foremost with other duties arising from their HAC status ( captain generals inspection , various HAC ceremonial events etc) 

They remain as divisional officers based out of Bishopsgate etc and carry out normal policing duties as their bread and butter including some being Public order trained , some as specific crime specialists etc and posted to relevant directorates .

They do however in tunic order continue to have the Brass WW1 HAC shoulder titles beneath their divisional letters ( which is a nice nod to their origins being formed from returning WW1 HAC soldiers ) 

The HAC is also home to the CoLP volunteer police cadets and soon the mounted Branch horses , and all CoLP SC dinners and attestations and prizegivings are held at armoury house .

The HAC Special Constabulary Detachment celebrates its 100 year anniversary this year and will be marching in the LMS with the regiment to mark this instead of policing it for one year only .

 

 

 

[IMP]

Very interesting and enlightening article.