Curator's Corner: The Night Cape

March 2025 Edition

For this month’s Curator’s Corner, we will be exploring the night cape. Throughout history, police officers' uniforms have been used as a symbol of authority, but also as protection against the elements. One of the most iconic pieces of police attire was the night cape.

From the Victorian era to the mid-20th century, officers were issued a full-length, double-breasted greatcoat, designed for both function and durability.^[1] This could be worn either underneath or as an alternative to the three-quarter length cape, which became a familiar sight in British policing for over a century. The police cape, a staple of the uniform from the 1800s to the 1960s.

The capes were fastened at the neck by a hook and chain, decorated with a pair of lion’s heads. The chain itself was made from a soft metal alloy which served as an important safety feature that allowed it to break in an emergency.^[2] Night capes had black buttons rather than the traditional silver buttons, to help officers stand out less in the dark. The cape, usually made from melton cloth, provided warmth and shelter from rain, wind, and cold during long night time patrols. Melton cloth was a thick felted woollen material that was naturally water-resistant and kept officers warm.^[3] In the 19th century, officers frequently had to report for duty wearing wet uniforms, which was identified as a potential health hazard. Early experiments with waterproof materials, such as rubberised “oilskin” garments, provided some relief, but these coats often became stiff and brittle in cold weather and overly soft in hot conditions. By the late 1920s, the Metropolitan Police had adopted a waterproof cape to combat these issues.^[4]

Efforts to standardise police uniforms culminated in the Dixon Committee on Police Uniform Clothing, which was established in 1932 and reported its findings in 1934. The committee aimed to unify the appearance of officers across the UK and proposed official styles for uniforms and headgear.^[5] This marked a turning point in police attire, ensuring that future generations of officers were equipped with practical, comfortable, and consistent garments.

The night coat remains an enduring symbol of police officers throughout history. Stop by the museum to see our night cape used by the Bradford Police in the 1880s on display in the main gallery and ask our knowledgeable guides if you have any more questions!

^[1] “Police Uniforms and Equipment in the United Kingdom.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Oct. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_uniforms_and_equipment_in_the_United_Kingdom

^[2] “The History of Police Uniforms up until WW2.” Greater Manchester Police, gmpmuseum.co.uk/collection-item/the-history-of-police-uniform-in-manchester-up-until-ww2/

^[3] “The History of Police Uniforms up until WW2.” Greater Manchester Police.

^[4] Ibid.

^[5] Ibid.