Police uniforms are a popular costume choice for Halloween and other costume parties. It is also an easy costume to make. Just put on a white button-down shirt, dark pants and a belt. Add accessories such as a badge, handcuffs and a toy gun in a holster.

But what do you really know about police uniforms? Here’s ten facts about police uniforms you may not know:

1. The first police uniform was green. In 1853, the New York City Police Department adopted its first official uniform which consisted of green frock coats with buttons bearing the NYPD shield, dark blue trousers and capes in winter months.

2. Police officers wear their badges over their hearts because that’s where honest policemen keep them.

3. Police hats were designed to protect officers from weapons such as rocks or bottles thrown by protesters or rioters.

4. Some departments have different colored piping on the shirts of their officers to show rank, such as yellow for sergeants and red for lieutenants or captains.

5. Many departments have retired their old traditional blue uniforms for black ones because it’s easier to remove stains from black fabric than it is from blue fabric, saving money on dry cleaning costs.

Police officers are often referred to as “Legends in Blue” for their old school blue uniform. But nowadays, police officers have many other options for uniforms. Here are ten things you didn’t know about police uniforms:

1. Various police departments through the years have used all black uniforms as a way of instilling fear into the hearts of criminals.

2. The black police uniform was a popular choice for law enforcement during the 1800s, but fell out of favor when it was discovered that they blended in too well with the night and thus, were harder to see during dark times.

3. In some states, retired officers are allowed to keep their uniform and wear it for special occasions such as weddings and funerals.

4. The iconic police hat is called a “Smokey Bear Hat,” named after Smokey the Bear from the US Forest Service campaign against forest fires–the hat got its name because the bear wore this type of hat in his commercials.

5. Some officers wear bullet-proof vests that are hidden under their shirts so that criminals are unaware that an officer has protection from bullets and knives.

6. Bullet-proof vests can be extremely hot to wear, especially during summer months, making patrol work very uncomfortable for officers

In the past, police officers were dressed in a variety of uniforms. Some wore everyday clothing while others wore a military-like uniform. The police costume was considered to be impractical and uncomfortable. Today, police uniforms are designed to be functional, comfortable and professional looking.

The modern police officer uniform is typically dark blue or black with silver or brass buttons and trim. The first use of the police officer uniform dates back to 1829 when Sir Robert Peel established the London Metropolitan Police Service. He wanted his officers to look respectable and to stand out from the community they are serving. Officers today wear a variety of different costumes depending on their department’s requirements.

Here are 10 things you didn’t know about police uniforms:

There is an important reason why all police officers wear hats/helmets: It protects them from head injuries from falling debris, being hit by objects and being head butted by suspects.

Police officer’s badges are not just for decoration but also serve as the officer’s identity card that includes the officer’s number, rank and name.

Police uniforms can vary a great deal by country. In some of the countries, it is a custom for police to wear a heavy coat, cap and gloves in order to protect the officers from all the elements. The variations of police uniforms go from country to country.

Here are 10 things you didn’t know about police and their uniforms:

The bulletproof vest was invented in 1964 by Richard Davis. He was a bodyguard who worked for celebrities, but he decided to create a vests after his friend and bodyguard colleague was shot dead when accompanying singer Sam Cooke.

In Japan, some police officers are required to wear white gloves, even when they are off-duty.

In Japan, the majority of Japanese Police Officers do not carry guns.

During the British colonial days in India, police officers were required to wear khaki shorts only during the hot season (from April 1 until October 31).

In Berlin all uniformed police officers, female and male alike, must wear lipsticks while on duty. They must be in matching color with the uniform. These lipsticks are part of their official uniform.

Police uniforms are not just costumes. They symbolize authority, and they can also serve as body armor. Here’s a look at some of the many different types of police uniforms, and the reasons for their design.

1. Police Uniforms Have Changed Drastically Over Time

2. Police Uniforms Are About More Than Appearance

3. There’s a Reason Police Uniforms Have So Many Pockets

4. Every Police Uniform Is Different, Even Within the Same City

5. The Police Uniform Has a Particular Purpose in Mind

6. Some Officers Are Allowed to Dress Up as Santa Claus or Other Characters

7. Police Uniforms Can Help Keep Officers Safe from Violence

8. Changing to Blue Was Intended to Improve Relations Between Cops and Citizens

9. Some Police Departments Use Plainclothes Officers for Specialized Work

10. Police Uniforms Reflect the Tradition of Service

1. The first police uniforms were more like those of the French military in the 18th century. They consisted of a navy blue jacket and trousers, with a white shirt and black tie.

2. In 1938, the modern police uniform was introduced by New York Police Department commissioner Lewis Valentine. It was inspired by the NYPD’s aviation unit, which wore leather jackets.

3. Most uniforms for police officers in the United States consist of a navy blue shirt and pants with a dark-colored tie and brown or black shoes. Sometimes the pants will have a stripe running down them, but this design is mostly reserved for officers in charge of training new recruits and sergeants.

4. The two major differences between police uniforms in the United States and in other countries are that U.S. policemen wear their badge on their left chest area (while it is worn on the right side in other countries), and that they also wear their hats to signify their rank as part of their uniform (other countries use colored sleeves).

5. Hats were first introduced under Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt, who felt that having policemen wear top hats would make them look more respectable when dealing with criminals on an everyday basis…

Police Dress Uniforms

The dress uniform is usually reserved for special occasions, funerals, and promotions. It consists of necktie or a four-in-hand tie, a blue coat with silver buttons and white shirt. The trousers are dark blue and the duty belt is black. The shoes are highly polished. Sometimes a white leather Sam Browne belt is worn. Officers typically wear a campaign hat with their dress uniform.

Awards, decorations, and commendations are usually worn on the left side of the uniform shirt above the nameplate. Ribbons are worn on the service uniform instead of on the dress uniform.