Non-Subscriber Extract
Identity crisis
By Eve Pertile
12 January 2010
As an officer, would you worry about being fully identifiable by your name in situations where you have dealt with a particularly difficult offender? Would you be concerned that someone with a grudge might find it easier to track you and your family to your home?
Feelings on the topic are mixed among officers at Leicestershire Constabulary, which has started displaying officers' full names and collar numbers on their uniforms.
And although those championing the roll-out within the force are positive about the move, Leicestershire Police Federation is completely opposed to it.
Until now, epaulettes in Leicestershire and most other forces around the country have only carried officers' rank and individual collar numbers.
However, all officers, community support officers and some custody staff in Leicestershire Constabulary, totalling more than 2,000 people, are being issued with new epaulettes embroidered with their full names, a move that began in June and should be completed by the end of this month.