History Police duty belt

many police forces in united kingdom began uniform consisting of swallow-tail coat , top hat. pillbox or kepi hat along frock coat introduced in 1860s, along helmets designed protection against attack , weather. truncheons had been introduced 1764, not until 1994 police forces in uk started nationally standardise uniform prompting introduction of duty belt contain such equipment, instead of having staff carry equipment in handbags or adapted pockets. in case of earliest equipment carrying, cutlass or firearm clipped belt of frock coat. in fact pockets not introduced until 1900s in cases.

before duty belts, british female officers carried truncheons, shorter male version, in handbags along police notebook matter of routine. male officers carried handcuffs, whereas female officers not permitted without special permission. during 1950s , 1960s, sam browne belt in popular use police officers in usa.