3-074-636 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches in Scotland-Yard: serving out clothing to the police, 1883. '...the scene at the periodical distribution of new clothing to the civil army of constables...The clothing supplied to sergeants and constables...consists of one great coat for three years' wear; one tunic coat, for a year; one pair of dress trousers and one pair of undress, for a year; helmet, for eighteen months; a pair of boots, for six months; armlets, as required; a waterproof glazed cape, to last two years; and a fatigue dress, renewed in three years, for fire brigade practice. The mounted constables have cloaks and overalls, and those who drive police-vans, or look after horses..., have necessary articles of equipment; while there is a different scale for inspectors, also for assistant clerks, and for gaolers. The men find their own gloves, white cotton in summer, black worsted in winter. Waist-belts, with truncheon cases attached on the right side, are issued to the constables. The old articles of clothing, at the proper time, are collected for sale, when the metal numbers and letters are taken off the collars to be put on new clothing, as they are durable enough. Every member of the force is at liberty, when off duty, to wear plain clothes instead of the uniform'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.