POLICE fear a high-visibility vest being sold on the internet matches their vests so closely it could be used to impersonate an officer.
NSW Police said they only became aware of the vests when what was thought to be a highway patrol officer riding a white motorcycle in Sydney turned out on closer inspection to be a rider in a vest marked “Polite”.
The man said the vest had been ordered over the internet and he had not intended to imitate a police officer. He was released without charge but a war of words has now broken out between NSW Police and the vests’ UK-based manufacturer Equisafety.
Managing director Nicky Fletcher said the company has been selling the line into Australia for six years.
“Equisafety has sold and will continue to sell the Polite range,” she said. “It comes in yellow and pink, with either blue or black reflective tape.”
“I would like to point out that not one Australian police officer has contacted me.”
Police spokesman said police had contacted the company and also had legal advice that wearing the safety vest could be illegal in NSW.
“The clothing in our view breaches the Police Act here in NSW and we are well aware of the ongoing concerns of law enforcement in the UK,” the spokesman said.
“This particular range uses long-established police markings such as the chequered band and coloring that is associated with police in NSW.”
“A member of the public could easily mistake this clothing for that of a police officer.”
Ms. Fletcher said she believed she was legally entitled to continue selling the line.