Police uniform – baseball-style caps

“Could you please advise whether you have given consideration to having soft peaked (baseball-type) caps issued as an option for uniform officers?” asked Police Association secretary, Andy Dunn, in a recent letter to Commissioner Mal Hyde.

Mr Dunn had posed the question on behalf of his members, among whom a groundswell of support had emerged for the baseball-style cap.

In his return letter, Mr Hyde wrote that baseball caps were not part of the standard police uniform. He outlined, however, a list of circumstances in which they were available for use. They were:

• Motorcycle officers performing traffic or similar duties in which the wearing of helmets was not practicable.
• Designated areas when performing specific duties, such as those of STAR Group, STAR operations, Water Response and Crime Scene.
• Specific operations (as approved), such as demonstrations, or where communication headsets are worn making it impracticable for one to wear a peaked or broad-brimmed hat.

Pictured in Victoria’s Police Life magazine were these two Victorian officers in their baseball-style caps.

“SAPOL,” Mr Hyde wrote, “has continued to review the appropriateness of uniform headwear, including the use of baseball caps.

“...it is considered the headwear currently supplied...adequately meet (sic) the operational functionality and identification needs of uniform members of SAPOL.

“...the current styles of headwear projects (sic) a smarter and more professional image for our officers.”

Police Association assistant secretary, Tom Scheffler, has consulted with many members about their preference for baseball-style caps, and continues to pursue the issue.
Contact him with your input at the association on
(08) 8212 3055 or 0417 817 075 or
thomasscheffler@pasa.asn.au