NORWAY – Norway’s police have moved to set right a misunderstanding after photographs showing officers in “new” uniforms were unfavourably compared to those worn by science fiction bad guys or street sweepers.
Reaction from the public has been negative some calling them “a late April Fool’s joke”, “street sweepers’ uniforms”, or something “used by the military in North Korea, fine if you work for a fascist regime” and “The Empire Strikes Back, have they paid royalties to [George] Lucas?”
Tests began on the grey-green “urban camouflage” outfits on Monday, and that they were designed to replace the black jumpsuits worn by armed officers or those in special units. It suggested the new colouring “could be associated with a stated desire to slip more into the crowds”.
However, the design has not been finalised yet.
Jorn Schjelderup of the National Police Directorate said, “This is a trial project, and the uniforms will only be tested and worn in training situations – not when interacting with the public. This means that you will not see policemen or -women dressed in these uniforms walking down the street or on patrols.” He also confirmed that a final decision on new police uniforms won’t be made until a two-year pilot concludes.
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