FOI 524/25 Uniform and Equipment

Enquiry Reference: FOI 524-25                                                                                

Date: 29/05/25

I write in connection with regards to your Freedom of Information request.  Below is your request and our response.

A copy of the current Dress and Appearance/Uniform Standards for Police Officers for your force.

We have looked at the above question and must advise you that we consider the Freedom of information Act 2000 Exemption 21 (Information Accessible by other means) is engaged in relation to this request this is a class based and absolute exemption, requiring no prejudice or public interest to be considered.

If you visit the www.cleveland.police.uk  and search dress policy we have a Dress and appearance policy available.

Any information regarding an organised Honour Guard/Colour Guard/Ceremonial Unit within your force.

1. a) No information held.

Information regarding the training and instruction of Student Police Officers/Special Constables in foot drill as part of current initial Police Officer and Special Constable training?

1. a) In relation to foot tactics in initial learning. There is nothing in the COP Curriculum for any of the current entry routes. The students do get an hour’s practical, Level 1 Public Order input from a Sgt within the Specialist Support Unit.  The Specials do not currently get any input due to the limited time that we have with them. Our Curriculum does not currently mirror the Special Constables Development Programme.

The scale of issue of uniform and equipment for new Police Officers and Special Constables for financial year 2024/2025.

1. a) Over the last year we provided kit for 134 police officers and specials broken down into the following:

New recruits police officer: 96

Transferee: 19

New recruit Special: 19

The cost of each item of uniform and equipment issued to new Police Officers and Special Constables for financial year 2024/2025.

1. a) Each officer would have received the below kit allocated per officer when applicable.

£1472.32 totalling £197290.88 (approx.)

In addition, some transferees would have received specialist kit for certain roles- firearms/PSU/search etc. Please note this is the cost for a standard male police officer- there are differences depending on hat choice etc.  It also doesn’t cover economies of scale- this is the cost if we bought one of everything, so this is the most it will ever cost.  The uniform for police officers and specials is the same, although the specials get a smaller number of shirts to reflect their hours.

Having made enquiries within the Force above is all the information we hold. 

The Cleveland Police response to your request is unique and it should be noted that Police Forces do not use generic systems or identical procedures to capture and record data therefore responses from Cleveland Police should not be used as a comparison with any other force response you receive.

If you are not satisfied with this response or any actions taken in dealing with your request, you have the right to request an independent internal review of your case under our review procedure. The Freedom of Information Code of Practice (see below link) states that a request for internal review should be made within 20 working days of the date on this response or 40 working days if extenuating circumstances to account for the delay can be evidenced. Public authorities are not obliged to accept internal reviews after this date.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-code-of-practice

Yours sincerely

Information Rights Decision Maker