Officers working for West Midlands Police have been ordered to choose garments of an "appropriate colour" and to ensure they are "inconspicuous' under their uniforms.
The second biggest force in the UK, which employs 8,400 officers and 4,000 police staff, said the guidance was important for maintaining its reputation.
However, it has gone down poorly with some officers:
One female constable, who did not want to be named, told Police Review she dreaded the thought of her superiors keeping an eye on her undergarments.
She said: "I feel like I'm in a no win situation.
"If I wear a pink thong I'm in trouble for 'exposing myself', but if I wear a nice sensible pair of knickers I'm going to get hauled up for exposing a VPL (visible panty line).
"I don't know what they expect of me - I'd be better off going commando and not wearing any knickers at all.
"The same goes for male officers - they have been told they should not be showing their boxer shorts to the general public when they are on duty."
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said that it was important that officers 'adopt a common sense approach' to the type of underwear they put on before going on duty.
He said: "All officers and staff who come into contact with the public are asked to adopt a common sense approach when choosing what underwear is worn when on duty, so they remain smart."
Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said: "All supervisors - at whatever level they are in the organisation - have a clear mandate to challenge inappropriate dress."
"The adoption of standard, corporate, professional uniform and equipment is crucial to how we are viewed by members of the public."
The guidance part of an overall review of uniform that also suggested that officers should wear their helmets at all times in public- even when rushing out of a patrol car to chase down a suspect.
Police given 'underwear guidance' - Telegraph
The second biggest force in the UK, which employs 8,400 officers and 4,000 police staff, said the guidance was important for maintaining its reputation.
However, it has gone down poorly with some officers:
One female constable, who did not want to be named, told Police Review she dreaded the thought of her superiors keeping an eye on her undergarments.
She said: "I feel like I'm in a no win situation.
"If I wear a pink thong I'm in trouble for 'exposing myself', but if I wear a nice sensible pair of knickers I'm going to get hauled up for exposing a VPL (visible panty line).
"I don't know what they expect of me - I'd be better off going commando and not wearing any knickers at all.
"The same goes for male officers - they have been told they should not be showing their boxer shorts to the general public when they are on duty."
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said that it was important that officers 'adopt a common sense approach' to the type of underwear they put on before going on duty.
He said: "All officers and staff who come into contact with the public are asked to adopt a common sense approach when choosing what underwear is worn when on duty, so they remain smart."
Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said: "All supervisors - at whatever level they are in the organisation - have a clear mandate to challenge inappropriate dress."
"The adoption of standard, corporate, professional uniform and equipment is crucial to how we are viewed by members of the public."
The guidance part of an overall review of uniform that also suggested that officers should wear their helmets at all times in public- even when rushing out of a patrol car to chase down a suspect.
Police given 'underwear guidance' - Telegraph
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