Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force

As a British Overseas Territory, at times of crisis, the RTCIPF receives assistance from other agencies, such as the British Armed Forces. This happened in the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, when the Standing Joint Force Headquarters Group (a tr-service support group of sailors, marines, soldiers and airmen who support governments in crises[7]) deployed to assist the police and TCI government.[8]

Like many British police forces, the RTCIPF take pride in their appearance and are smartly dressed at all times, particularly for formal parades and occasions. As they are one of the world's oldest police forces, with strong historical links to the British Army and police forces, their customs and traditions are seen heavily in their uniform. Comparisons are made below.

'Whites' The most formal order of dress for police officers is (in British Army use - No. 3 dress) the warm weather ceremonial uniform ('whites'), which consists of:[10]

Males

• White bush jacket or tunic with high collar and silver buttons and whistle on a chain
• Black trousers with double red stripe
• Black peaked cap with red cap-band and police capbadge
• White gloves (senior officers)
• Blue waist sash (senior officers)
• Black polished belt with metal clasp
• Polished black shoes or boots

Females

• White bush jacket/tunic worn open at collar with tie and white shirt worn underneath, silver buttons and whistle on chain
• Black trousers with double red stripe or black skirt with double red stripe and stockings
• Black tall female cap with red cap-band and police capbadge
• White gloves (senior officers)
• Blue waist sash (senior officers)
• Black polished belt with metal clasp
• Polished black shoes or boots

On the epaulette of the tunic, "RTCIPF" letters are worn to denote police. Rank for Sergeants is worn on the upper sleeve area and on the epaulettes for senior officers (inspectors and above). The staple item of a British police officer; the whistle on a chain, is worn and held between buttons and top pocket. Medals (if any) are worn on the left breast.

On parade with weapons (most formal occasions[11]), junior ranks carry rifles and more senior officers may carry swords or swagger sticks.

'Blues'

The alternate (and one level down) formal uniform is the dark blue service dress (in British Army use - No. 2 dress) which is similar to 'whites', except:

• the white tunic is replaced by a dark blue tunic, worn open at the collar for males and females of all ranks, with a collar and tie underneath
• Sam Browne belts are worn over the top (for all ranks)[12]
• whistles on chains are not worn however, but black lanyards are worn on the left shoulder
• white gloves for junior ranks and black leather gloves for officers
• black swagger sticks for senior officers are carried underneath the left arm
• Same headdress as for "whites" dress.

For everyday policing, the undress variants of the above are worn. This is the police version of the Army's No. 6 (warm weather bush jacket) uniform consisting of:[13]

• Stone coloured bush jacket
• Stone coloured trousers
• Black shoes or boots
• Same headdress as above uniforms
• Black lanyard worn on the left
• Rank worn as above
• Medal ribbons to be worn on the left breast.

This is generally worn for non-physical work (such as meetings, indoor work), but not for more practical work nor more formal parades.

This uniform is for everyday police work, such as patrolling and investigating. It consists of:

• White, grey or light blue short-sleeve shirt with insignia
• Black trousers with red piping
• Same headdress as above uniforms
• Black shoes/boots

Equipment is worn on waist belts and rank is worn in the same way as above.[14] High visibility vests are worn for traffic-related work.[15]

This uniform is for police work that is physically demanding and needs a less smart, simpler approach, such as firearms work. It consists of:

• Black polo shirt or t-shirt
• Black trousers
• Boots
• Baseball cap

Insignia is minimal, but "POLICE" in large letters is worn on the back of the shirt. Equipment is carried on the waist.

Some, RTCIPF officers carry firearms.[16] This is less usual in most UK and British Overseas Territories police services/forces, but in some territories it is more common practice.

Because of its proximity to the US, the RTCIPF uses more US-style police vehicles, such as the Ford Police Utility,[3] these vehicles are marked, have red & blue flashing lights, the 911 emergency number and the police motto.[17] The tactical and marine units (see above) use boats and armoured vehicles respectively.