MPA introduces name badges for Metropolitan Police

08/03
24 January 2003

The MPA is set to introduce name badges for Met uniformed officers. The policy was agreed today at the Co-ordination and Policy Committee and is fully supported by the Commissioner Sir John Stevens and the Deputy Commissioner Ian Blair.

Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA, said:

“Since the MPA was established we have been extremely keen to introduce name badges. Wearing a name badge will send a strong and clear signal that the Met is being open and transparent in the way that it works with the people of London and help break down barriers that still exist between our police service and our communities.

“It will apply to staff who have contact with the public, including uniformed police officers, special constables and specified operational civil staff, such as Police Community Support Officers and Traffic Wardens.

“Obviously there will be exemptions and situations could arise that would require officers to use their judgement and remove their name badge for a specific period of time.

“Officers from the Traffic Unit and Special Escort Group have been wearing name badges for some time and currently there are several police services which wear name badges.

“However, we are very aware that the Police Federation and Civil Staff Trade Unions still have concerns about their members wearing name badges in certain situations and we will continue to consult with these bodies so that the policy is acceptable and fair to all.

“We welcome this decision to bring the Met into line with these services and await reports of progress and implementation.”

The name badge will show the forename and family name though not rank. The decision as to whether badges will be made of cloth, fixed by Velcro, or be a heat sealed type has yet to be made. They will be worn on the uniform shirt, pullover, anorak or high visibility jacket but not on the tunic or Met Vest. It is expected that a phased introduction, as new officers enter the service or uniforms are replaced, will be completed within two to three years.

Notes to editors

1. There are five police services where name badges are compulsory: Suffolk Constabulary; West Midlands Constabulary; Merseyside Constabulary; Wiltshire Constabulary and Derbyshire Constabulary.
2. Financial Implications: two options are viable - a cloth badge fixed by Velcro; or a heat sealed sewn badge. Based upon initial estimates the costs of Velcro badges are approximately £60,000 and the costs of heat sealed badges are around £300,000. It is anticipated that costs will be contained within existing MPS budgets.
3. Further details of exemptions and how these would be implemented are available.

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