Men’s and women’s new uniform 1976. From left Chief Superintendent B. W. Gibson; Constable L. Tideswell (women's uniform); Sergeant J. A. Franklin modelling male constable's uniform; Sergeant C. I. Beattie modelling superintendent's uniform. The files relating to this uniform change do not appear to have survived. However, Michael Burnside, son of K. B. Burnside, the commissioner who initiated the change, remembers his father deliberately choosing to move away from the old dark blue to lighten up the image of the police and stress their civilian role.

1972 Policewomen

In an unusual move and responding to a demand from the younger members, this uniform consisting of a short skirt and boots was introduced in 1972 and followed the fashion trend of the times. Not so popular with the more mature members, it was a fashion statement that did not last long before the boots were dispensed with and the skirt lengthened once more. Photograph NZ Police Museum

Policewomen are permitted to wear boots with the fashionable shorter skirt length. (This fashion did not last long and does not appear to have been widely taken up.) This is known from a press photograph.

Alexander Turnbull Library Evening Post Collection 10/4

NZ Legal: Police: Uniform 2955/ 17 June1972

Policewomen were not particularly happy with their uniform. The pockets were inadequate to carry all the equipment such as handcuffs and notebook. The official response was to provide them with a shoulder bag. Some felt the skirts were too long and hampered them when chasing a suspect. The desire for shorter skirts probably had more to do with the undoubted fashion statement of the 1960s ... the miniskirt ... many shortened their skirts well above the approved uniform length.

This collection of wooden pocket batons were issued at Auckland and indicate the variety of designs used. The oldest is at far left and dates from the 1890s. The short variant in the centre was issued to women police from the 1960s, its length being determined by the requirement for carriage in the police issue handbag. Ken Brewer collection.

The uniform for women police was reviewed for the first time in 1957... The felt-cap, with a peak in front, was modelled on that worn by the Queen at a Trooping the Colour Ceremony ... Patrolling in summer temperatures later that year was also made much more comfortable by the introduction of a white open-necked blouse, worn with navy-blue epaulettes.

...smart, was individually tailored and made of dark blue serge ... “big balloon pockets and upper pockets over each breast and the buttons did up the men’s way. The calf length skirt was in keeping with the fashion of the era”. White shirts with detachable collars that required studs and a navy tie were worn with the suit. The outfit was complemented by black nylon stockings and comfortable laced walking shoes that were not to o low - one careful measurement made them an inch and a half high. Each police woman was issued with two uniforms and a gabardine raincoat.

The women’s original felt hat was replaced by the forage cap in 1957 (women have never worn any version of the Police helmet).

New Women’s Hat Shows photo of proposed peaked cap. The Bulletin, July 1957

A new style of peaked cap for policewomen to replace the wide brimmed version is selected and submitted for formal approval.

5^th Pattern NZ Police Cap Badge Variant

This was the production version of the previous badge and was worn on the wide brimmed hats of the first police women’s uniform issued in 1953. It was also intended to be worn on the forage caps of Constables and NCO’s when their redesigned, open necked uniforms were issued from 1956. It is based upon the design of the previous prototype badge, but varies with the Tudor Crown being the open style instead of solid. This variant was made just prior to King George VI death in 1952 and had only been issued to policewomen.

1952 Policewomen’s Wide Brimmed Hat

This photograph of Auckland’s Constable Molly Sim was taken in 1952 when New Zealand Policewomen were first issued with a uniform, despite some being recruited in 1940. The wide brimmed hat was the crowning glory of this historic uniform and is shown her to good effect. The first curved “NZ Police” cap badge with the Tudor Crown is clearly visible and was introduced with this headgear.