THE POLICE SHAKO.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4519, 18 October 1930, Page 4

THE POLICE SHAKO.

QUESTION OF ABOLITION

Aftev three years’ experience of ilie shako, it is considered likely Hint the police in New Zealand will revert to the traditional helmet of the Metropolitan constabulary in London. It is stated there is a movement on foot to bring about Hie change, which is supported by ;> majority of the Force. In 1927, Mr. TV. Bl Mellveney, then 'Commissioner of Police, introduced the shako, along with a pockehless tunic and silver buttons, thus reverting to the uniform in force in New Zealand up to 1913. The shako, which was a relic of the. old armed constabulary days, existed in the New Zealand Police Force until just p'rioir to the Great Wjar, when the then Commissioner, Mr. J. Cullen, brought aIxmt a sweeping change in order to bring the police uniform, in line with that worn by the Metropolitan Police in London.

Until 1913, the official dress was a shako with silver metal buttons on the tunic. The tunic had a low collar, with the collar (lap sewn, presenting the appearance of an ordinary military tunic. Mr. Cullen introduced the (helmet and black badges. Side-pockets were placed 011 Hie tunic, which was given a turued-up collar. This was the first time that the New Zealand police had worn the helmet and the dress remained in use until 1927, when Mr. Meljveney introduced the shako and silver buttons. The appearance ot the shako aroused a great deal of comment, and members of the lorce, on thei'r ''first coining within the public view, were subject to mii(‘h good-bnmoufed. ejliaff., Visitors From overseas were particularly interested in the headgear of New Zealand’s police, and remarks were heard from overseas people long a Her New Zea land residents had become accustomed to the ,-ighf.

So unusual was the shako that members of the Foyer themselves were at first not at. all happy about venturing in public. From the point of view of appearance, the helmet has at, least one advan-tage—ill,-it, it. suits practically every type of face, and this advantage cannot, be claimed For the shako. However, supporting the helmet there arc. more weighty advantages—it is stated to give moire protection in wet weather and it is

almost half as costly as-the shako. As Far as the change to a tunic without [lockets is concerned, the story lias the rounds that this was iirtreduced as the result of the Commissioner seeing a constable standing with his thumb stuck in his pockets. Properly constructed, the pockets do not lend to this t reatmenlj but it is possible that continual application of the thumbs had had. the desired effect.

Although the shako does not enjoy popularity, there are many members of the Force who favour the silver buttons Jn place of the black ones. The silver buttons have the natural advantage of being more •‘dressy,” but it is stated on the other hand that the black buttons do not show'up a constable at night. In reply to this it is urged that one of a constable’s duties is to be conspicuous, else why the. uniform at 'all? It is understood that pockets in the tunic are favoured as being of great use in the daily round of duties. Another alteration which is being urged is the provision of pockets in the waterproof overcoats. Those now issued have merely a small pocket inside the front, and ii; is the desire of many of the police that tbejre should be slit pockets in the sides.