Wearing a police uniform

I have links to the police. I'll try and find out for you.

M.

• 15 years ago
• 1

Well, I'm no lawyer, but having had a look at the statements on the information pages you reference, I don't actually see that acting the part of a policeman for 'entertainment purposes' falls into the categories of offences listed here (unless I've missed something). The statements only appear to indicate that utilising a uniform for an act of wilful deception in order to convince others that you are a serving officer is an offence (understandably) and that, if you have gained the uniform and materials from illegal sources, you can also be fined.

This isn't to say that I wouldn't advocate telling the local constabulary about any filming you wish to do, and discussing it with them. I also accept that getting hold of the uniform etc. in the first place may be your greatest difficulty, as I'm not sure, short of having a (police permitted) costume house run one up for you, or 'borrowing' one from an actual officer, how you can get hold of the goods in the first place.

I assume from the tone of the post that you're not asking because a production company has asked you to wear a uniform and you're not sure if they've covered all the bases (in which case, they can't be much of a production company, and you'd need to give them a kick - this shouldn't be the sort of thing the performer needs to worry about!). Rather, I assume it's because you'd like to produce something of your own with police parts featured in it. The obvious plan is to try and square things with the police in the locality: although they may not thoroughly appreciate quite what you're attempting to do, they do generally accept that they have a 'public service' remit, and can be surprisingly helpful at looking out for you in these situations.

I've worked on a film for instance where we were doing an impersonation of bank robbers in the middle of a busy London street, and we had a community officer presence for several hours in order to ensure that no-one mistakenly reported the 'raid'. Truth be told, I don't know if the production company had to pay for this privilege, but I think the point stands: the police may be more accomodating than you think, provided your needs are brought to their attention.

• 15 years ago
• 2

During a murder mystery evening on a kind of 'Murder on the Orient Express' I was shot on the platform of Pickering station. Whilst guests were viewing the body real policemen turned up!
Our fake 'Superintendent' took them to one side and quietly explained that he was in charge.
The police left with a salute and 'comment' of 'We'll get back to the police station sir and inform the coroner's office'.
Good sports these policemen in the North!!

• 15 years ago
• 3

Hi Richard ,here is some more info on your question :

www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?showtopic=15799

• 15 years ago
• 4