PNP mulling new uniform for cops

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police is now planning to change and design new  uniform for policemen.

The PNP's Directorate for Research and Development is now studying to address concerns raised by the rank-and-file over the design of the uniform.
                                   
With this, the PNP has commissioned a pool of fashion designers and experts in the garments industry  to help in creating the proposed modified designs for the different types of PNP uniforms.

The new designs will be featured on "Copwalk…PNP on the Ramp," which will show creations of Filipino fashion icons like Rene Salud, Eddie Baddeo and other independent designers who will help provide the PNP with essential inputs in coming up with the best quality and comfortable PNP uniform and paraphernalia.

Sixteen General Office Attire designs, each for male and female categories, will be showcased in "Copwalk".

The PNP has yet to announce the date of the show.

PNP Public Information Office chief, Police Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said that a National Police Commission resolution allows the PNP after a certain number of years to review and evaluate the viability of the police uniform and recommend for either its retention, modification or total replacement.

"We are soliciting as many inputs from the professionals and different sectors of society including the media," Sindac said.

All the changes in the proposed design of the PNP uniform are still in the drawing board, he added.

During the submission of entries, all participating designers were required to submit their respective sketches while the manufacturers provided materials according to the technical specifications set by the PNP, including their suggested materials they think are appropriate or better to prototype the designers’ creations.

The Uniform and Equipment Standardization Board still has the final say on which design to recommend to the Napolcom for the final approval by its chairman.
 
Should the Napolcom approve of the new uniform design for the PNP, this will entail no additional expense on the part of the police personnel, because every policeman receives a Replacement Clothing Allowance of P14,000 every three years, Sindac said. - Dennis Carcamo