police officer footwear

[Alwaysanotherwine]

Hi my daughter is joining the police next months age 19. They’ve asked her to buy ‘police shoes or boots’

Can any female police officers recommend any that would be suitable?

Thanks

I'm shocked they have to buy their own. I assume (hope?) the rest of the uniform is supplied, so why not footwear too as it has to be a specific type that she's unlikely to wear outside work and is likely to wear out quickly as she'll be doing a lot of walking.

But I'd love to know what goes through the heads of the people suggesting trainers. Have you ever seen a police officer? Does it seem like a job where you get to wear what you like at work?

Many years ago officers had a ' boot allowance' to pay towards boots but that was cut.
Uniform is supplied and one year boots were provided in my force but apart from that it's always been buy your own.

If you’re anywhere near North Yorkshire, there’s an Alt-berg factory in Richmond you can go and get made to measure. They are not cheap but god they are comfy.

Magnums also work too but I found they weren’t great on the ankle support.

Trainers won't stop a knife or being stamped on by a yob. You need boots for that.

Altbergs are brilliant, I have DD's from cadets

You wouldn’t really tend to whip your shoes off surely? I visit people at home and we are told to keep shoes on so we can make a swift exit if necessary. Taking your shoes off makes you much more vulnerable.

Presumably because trainers won't protect your feet?

Depends on where you are - a mosque, taking a witness statement etc. Sometimes it's a needs must. Sometimes you've just got home and need to whip them off to run to the loo!

I work on the railway. Lots of my colleagues wear Magnums because they are very cushioned and last a long time. (I don't have them because of my awkward feet) Our BTP colleagues tend to wear the boots.

Altbergs and the dog handler ones are the best I am informed! I am constantly tripping over pairs, reminds me I need to send them off for a sole replacement! Get them fitted properly though, pricey but excellent after care and last years.

Also Google wool mix socks. I found these on offer. https://www.joom.com/en/products/6114f306f2e930014d4d942f?currency=GBP&utm_productid=6114f306f2e930014d4d942f&utm_feed=main&utm_hash=66a3a4a42b22f4abee62092d92692412&variant_id=6114f306f2e9304d4d4d9431&gsAttrs=eyJyZWdpb24iOiJHQiIsICJzcGVjaWFsUHJpY2VVc2VkIjpmYWxzZX0g&exp_price=MTAuOTkg&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21200275856&utm_term=cid-21200275856%2Cagi-%2Cadi-%2Ctid-%2Cdev-c%2Creg-9191793%2Cmd-6114f306f2e9304d4d4d9431&utm_audienceid=advertising_web_gg_2d&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrOnl9pmsiwMVAZZQBh3VFBX0EAQYCCABEgJFBvD_BwE
Ive worn similar this winter and found them much more comfortable than the usual polyester blend socks.

Magnums or altbergs. If she has 2 pairs have one polished and one with no Polish. Wear the unpolished for public order, polish is quite flammable.

1. Get her to find out from her force if they have any specific expectations or requirements regarding boots before doing anything further, no point buying a pair which arent accepted or compliant with uniform standards
2. Boots instead of shoes - more support, sturdier, will keep her warmer and dryer (So also make sure they are waterproof)
3. Make sure they are a material which can be polished (ie - not trainers or any other soft material)
4. Absolutely no steel toe capped boots - far too dangerous and this will be a hard rule in most forces
5. Agree with poster who said about lace up but with a zip, really handy for the many occasions where they need slipping on and off

Only a tiny portion of time will be spent “catching crims” in the sense of running after someone. Walking through wet fields looking for a missing person, visiting people at home to take a witness statement, attending community events, searching homes and buildings, guarding crime scenes, comforting people after a crime has taken place, crowd management - the list goes on. All require a boot which is comfortable, looks smart, and provides protection against the elements and harm. I dread to think of the crappy Daily Fail article if a police officer was spotted wearing trainers while in uniform, they’re still outraged at the issuing of caps which actually stay on your head and clearly identify you as a police officer rather than solid plastic helmets which fall off if you sneeze.

Most of my shift male and female wear under armour boots . So comfortable. And the best socks I've found are primark mens work socks. Thick enough but not too thick.

But when you get kicked and stamped on???! That’s why they had steel toe capped boots. How often do you think they run?

I agree with the Magnum boots. ( I’m not in the police but I do wear safety boots for work )

Magnum boots are unbeatable for value and comfort. They will definitely need wearing in beforehand. Good luck to your daughter!

I had magnums when I was in the force. Got 6 years out of 1 pair!

Not allowed, far too soft
go for magnums, a much better choice

They aren't, and never had steel toe capped boots in the Police. They may injure someone, so no, no steels

Shoes for what?? I've never heard of this, forces provide it as part of uniform?

And just a note, if you have to buy specific items for work or launder your uniform at home you can sometimes claim something on your taxes, tell dc to look into it, my dd gets quite a few pounds per year back. Also make sure she signs up for things like a blue light card as lots of discounts available eg 25% theatre tickets

Some do, most don’t

My ex wore magnums v comfy apparently I think she would get the tax relief on washing uniforms too so make sure she looks into that.