Art, obsession, and identity
Most police officers around the world wear uniforms. In fact, many have more than just one type of uniform. But how do these differ from country to country? Well, there are a few things many police uniforms around the world have in common. One of them is the colors used. The vast majority stick to different shades of blue (mostly navy and light blue), or black. Another point in common is the use of high-visibility jackets.
There are, however, a few exceptions to the rule, and this means the use of completely different colors and styles. And then, of course, there is the headgear, which varies depending on the country and police force in question.
Curious? Click on and check out what police uniforms look like around the world.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force has one of the coolest uniforms in the Caribbean.
The Garda Síochána wear pretty cool high-visibility jackets. They also wear traditional peaked caps.
Italy's Carabinieri are among the most well-dressed forces in the world. The national gendarmerie of Italy have distinctive uniforms with white cross-belts.
Portugal's police force traditionally wears navy and light blue uniforms.
The US has a number of police forces, each with distinct uniforms. Pictured are NYPD officers, wearing their traditional black uniforms.
Czech police wear black, gray, and navy uniforms.
The European nation has a number of police forces. Pictured (L-R) are the Guàrdia Urbana de Barcelona, the Mossos d'Esquadra, and the National Police Corps.
One of the uniforms worn by the Korean National Police consists of shirts with a checkered pattern and white caps and gloves.
Police officers in Dubai wear very distinctive uniforms. They also drive some of the fastest, and most expensive, police cars on Earth!
Danish police uniforms are simple yet sleek. The yellow Politiet logo really stands out.
The French Gendarmerie wear both traditional hats known as kepi and the caps pictured.
Like other national law enforcement gendarmeries, Chilean Carabineros also wear sharp and stylish uniforms.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police's dapper uniform is recognized anywhere in the world. When it comes to style, one can say that Mounties are to North America what the Italian Carabinieri are to Europe.
The Military Police of Brazil have a number of different uniforms, including this one in khaki.
The Dutch national police can trace their roots back to 1581. Their uniforms, however, are pretty modern.
Police officers in Norway dress mostly in black. Though you will also find some Norwegian cops wearing light blue shirts and navy pants.
These are the uniforms of North Korea's traffic security officers.
Fiji has quite a unique police uniform. They wear a skirt-like garment called a sulu. The sulu is worn by both male and female officers.
Aussie police officers are known for their checkered caps. The Sillitoe tartan pattern goes all the way back to the Scottish police in the 1930s. It was later adopted by other forces, including in Australia.
British police also wear the same checkered pattern, in different colors, depending on the police force. The London Metropolitan Police are best known for their custodian helmet, aka bobby hats.
Belgium's politie is divided between local police and federal police. Pictured are Belgian officers wearing navy caps.
Mexico is best known for their Federal Police, but they also have state and municipal forces. Pictured is a police officer in an all-black uniform from Mexico City.
The Royal Malaysia Police have been around since 1807. The force adopted a dark navy blue uniform in the '90s.
Japanese police officers wear a common color worn by law enforcement around the world: blue.
Like many other European nations, the uniform of a German officer is plain and simple, with dark colors and the use of high-visibility parts, including a checkered pattern.
South African Police Service officers mostly wear uniforms like the one pictured. The high-visibility vest is worn when working with traffic.
The Swedish Police Authority wear traditional high-visibility jackets and caps.
Some Peruvian police officers wear red berets. Their uniform colors can be gray, navy, or black.
India has a number of police forces, but they all have one thing in common: khaki uniforms.
The Finnish police logo is pretty distinctive. It consists of the head of a lion, from the country's coat of arms, and a sword. As for the uniform, they wear plenty of navy.
Polish police keep it simple, with navy uniforms and practical caps.
Filipino cops wear striped blue short-sleeve shirts.
Sources: (Business Insider) (Ranker) (Cracked.com)
What police uniforms look like around the world
These uniforms appear both sharp and intimidating
LIFESTYLE Law enforcement
Most police officers around the world wear uniforms. In fact, many have more than just one type of uniform. But how do these differ from country to country? Well, there are a few things many police uniforms around the world have in common. One of them is the colors used. The vast majority stick to different shades of blue (mostly navy and light blue), or black. Another point in common is the use of high-visibility jackets.
There are, however, a few exceptions to the rule, and this means the use of completely different colors and styles. And then, of course, there is the headgear, which varies depending on the country and police force in question.
Curious? Click on and check out what police uniforms look like around the world.