“When I went for a fitting, I was told I was too fat for a stab vest, so I didn’t have one for seven years” : uniforms, (un)belonging and women’s bodies in policing

De Camargo, Camilla (2026) “When I went for a fitting, I was told I was too fat for a stab vest, so I didn’t have one for seven years” : uniforms, (un)belonging and women’s bodies in policing. Policing and Society: An International Journal of Research and Policy. ISSN 1043-9463

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Abstract

This article examines the lived experiences of female police officers in relation to uniform provision, particularly body armour, in England and Wales. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study draws on interviews and focus groups with 88 women across five police forces in 2023-24 to explore how the police uniform fails to accommodate women’s bodies, resulting in pain, discomfort, and restricted movement - especially for those with larger breasts or bodies. Officers described being unable to breathe, suffering long-term back issues, and feeling shamed for requesting refits. Access to better-fitting equipment was inconsistent and often role-dependent, fuelling perceptions of unfairness and exclusion. This study focuses specifically on the institutional infrastructures that govern body-armour provision, including procurement processes, fitting protocols, and role-based access to PPE and discusses recommendations for establishing minimum standards, reintroducing fitting infrastructures and strengthening accountability in procurement.