The Dress Code for Wearing Law Enforcement Uniform in UK

       The law enforcement uniform (police uniform) and equipment in the United Kingdom have varied considerably from the inception of what was to become the earliest recognizable mainstream police force in the country with the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829. Allowing the formation of the Metropolitan Police Service, and the various County Police Acts, policing became a more standardized practice in the United Kingdom throughout the late nineteenth century, the uniforms and equipment became equally standardized.
       For much of the twentieth century up to the mid 1990s, male police officers wore a formal work jacket with polished silver buttons, and black trousers with a sewn in truncheon pocket as their law enforcement uniform. No stab vest was worn and much less equipment was carried than is today. Following concerns about the police uniforms safety it was suggested that the uniform should be changed.
       From the 1990s it was generally accepted that the police could patrol in "shirt-sleeve order" which meant that they need not wear the jacket. In 1994 the Home Office, in agreement with the government and on the cooperation of many Chief Constables, changed the uniform from the business attire with no protection of the torso, to a uniform with black trousers, Blue NATO Jumper, stab vest, duty belt and reflective jacket. In general, these have taken their lead from the Metropolitan Police Service, due to it being recognized as the first police service in England. The base colour is a very dark blue, almost indistinguishable from black (and recently often is black), which earned the police the nickname of the "boys in blue".