The RCMP, founded in 1920, is Canada's national police service. Their iconic red serge uniform, featuring a high-collared tunic, midnight blue breeches with yellow stripes, and a brown felt campaign hat, is recognized worldwide.
Interestingly, this dress uniform is only worn for formal occasions. For daily duties, officers wear more practical dark blue uniforms. The RCMP is unique as it serves on municipal, provincial, and federal levels across Canada, except in Ontario and Quebec.
The NYPD, established in 1845, is one of the oldest police departments in the United States. Their dark blue uniforms are instantly recognizable, featuring a patch with 24 stars representing the amalgamation of towns and villages that became New York City.
The NYPD badge is shield-shaped, unlike many other U.S. departments' star-shaped badges. As part of the new standard, NYPD officers have been allowed to grow beards since 2016, reversing a long-standing ban. The department is also known for its specialized units, including the Emergency Service Unit and Harbor Unit.
The Mexican Federal Police, also known as Federales, was established in 1928 and dissolved in 2019, with its functions transferred to the National Guard. During its operation, Federales wore dark blue uniforms with light blue shirts. Their tactical units often used camouflage patterns.
A unique aspect of their uniform was the inclusion of their blood type on their nameplates, facilitating quicker medical response when injured. The Federales were known for their efforts in combating drug cartels and organized crime across Mexico.
Established in 1992 following the Chapultepec Peace Accords, the National Civil Police of El Salvador wears dark blue uniforms with light blue shirts. Their patch features the national coat of arms.
The National Civil Police focuses on community policing, implemented to build trust after the country's civil war. The force faces significant challenges, including gang violence and limited resources, often leading to officers working long hours in high-risk situations.
The modern police force in England traces its roots to the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829. English constables typically wear a black uniform with white shirts. Their most distinctive feature is the custodian helmet, a tall, rounded headgear that's been iconic since the 1860s.
Interestingly, these helmets are being phased out in many areas and replaced by more practical flat caps. English police are famously unarmed during regular patrols, carrying only non-lethal equipment like batons and pepper spray.
The Carabinieri, founded in 1814, is Italy's national gendarmerie. They're known for their striking uniforms: black with a distinctive red stripe on the trousers. For ceremonial occasions, they wear bicorn hats, reminiscent of Napoleonic-era headgear.
The Carabinieri have a dual role as both a police and military force, and they're deeply ingrained in Italian culture, often featured in films and literature. They're also responsible for protecting Italy's vast cultural heritage.
Established in 1951, the Bundespolizei wear blue uniforms with a distinctive eagle emblem. Their tactical units often use a unique "flecktarn" camouflage pattern.
The Bundespolizei includes Germany's only central police orchestra, which performs at official events. The force is responsible for border protection, railway policing, and maritime safety, among other duties.
Romania's national police force, established in its current form in 1990, wears dark blue uniforms with light blue shirts. Their emblem features an eagle holding a shield with the Romanian flag.
It’s also worth noting that the Romanian Police have a specialized unit for protecting bears, as Romania has Europe's largest brown bear population. The force has undergone significant modernization in recent years, including the adoption of body cameras and updated forensic techniques.
Founded in 1820, the Nigeria Police Force is one of Africa's oldest police organizations. Their uniform is black with the distinctive green beret you can see in this photo. The force faces numerous challenges, including resource limitations and corruption issues.
Their "SARS" (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) unit, which has been controversial and was disbanded in 2020 following protests. The NPF is working on community policing initiatives to improve public trust and effectiveness.
The Russian Police, or Politsiya, underwent a major reform in 2011, changing their name from "militia" to "police." Their uniform is dark blue with a red-and-blue checkered hat band.
The Russian traffic police often use oversized reflective batons for visibility. The force has been implementing modern technologies, including facial recognition systems in major cities like Moscow.
This paramilitary police force, established in 1982, wears olive green uniforms similar to the military. They're responsible for internal security, riot control, and counterterrorism.
When it comes to disaster responses, the People’s Armed Police Guard includes specialized earthquake rescue units. The PAP is known for its strict discipline and intensive training, which include political education alongside tactical skills.
The IPS, formed in 1948, is India's federal police service. Officers wear khaki uniforms, a legacy of British colonial rule. The IPS is known for its rigorous selection process, with only about 0.1% of applicants succeeding.
IPS officers are considered to be on duty at all times, even when off-duty or on leave. The service plays a crucial role in maintaining law and order across India's diverse states.
Himeji's police, part of Japan's prefectural police system, wear dark blue uniforms. Japanese police are known for their koban system - small neighborhood police posts that serve as a base for community policing.
Japanese police use of white gloves, worn by officers directing traffic or during formal occasions. The police in Himeji, like others in Japan, emphasize crime prevention and community engagement.
Information about North Korea's police force is limited due to the country's secretive nature. The force is known to be highly centralized and closely tied to the country's political system.
They typically wear olive green uniforms similar to those worn by the military. However, traffic officers in Pyongyang are often young women dressed in vibrant uniforms who direct traffic with elaborate, almost choreographed movements.
Established in 1979, the AFP wears navy blue uniforms with a light blue shirt. They're responsible for federal law enforcement and protecting Australia's national interests.
Their International Deployment Group assists in peacekeeping missions and police development programs in the Pacific region. The AFP also maintains a canine unit that includes dogs trained to detect electronic storage devices, crucial for cybercrime investigations.
