Talk:Collar number

History of Collar numbers
When were they introduced, and why? Dubidub (talk) 00:12, 22 January 2008 (UTC)
 * They've existed for as long as the police have. To identify individual officers. -- Necrothesp (talk) 09:28, 22 January 2008 (UTC)


 * Not a particularly helpful contribution! Do you mean 1829, or earlier?
 * Wnjr (talk) 11:18, 15 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Well, since the British police are generally considered to have existed since 1829 (and the Met is generally considered to be the first true modern police force, despite claims to the contrary), that would be the answer! -- Necrothesp (talk) 14:16, 15 April 2009 (UTC)


 * I agree 1829 is, at least in the UK, regarded as the beginning of police forces, but it is ahistorical to suggest the police didn't exist before that - cf. Lambarde's Duties of Constables (1582), for starters.


 * More practically, any suggestion of a reference for the introduction of collar numbers at that time?
 * Wnjr (talk) 09:19, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

Covering numbers at protests, etc.
Anyone want to add something on this?  Tu rk ey ph an t 01:33, 10 April 2009 (UTC)
 * May I point out that "pigs" is not a very constructive edit summary for this entry. Indeed it is somewhat juvenile. -- Necrothesp (talk) 20:34, 14 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Is it a problem worth mentioning or do you actually have something to add regarding the content of the article?  Tu rk ey ph an t 23:47, 16 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Since this is a discussion page I believe I can mention what I like. As an administrator I would warn you against the use of such edit summaries. "Coppers" is not insulting, "pigs" is! -- Necrothesp (talk) 08:35, 17 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Who is "pigs" insulting to? Who do you think it was addressed at?  Tu rk ey ph an t 10:50, 22 April 2009 (UTC)

Senior officers displaying warrant number
"It is increasingly common for higher ranks to display their warrant numbers on their epaulettes in addition to their rank"

I have never seen this. I added a citation needed. Not clear if it says warrant number but means collar number. Though I have never seen that either. Harry Metcalfe (talk) 20:44, 7 July 2014 (UTC)


 * Higher ranks don't have collar numbers, so it's their warrant number.
 * Officers in lower ranks are also sometimes given permission to have their warrant number instead of their name on uniform patches, most famously Sgt Delroy Smellie. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/mar/25/g20-smellie-fisher-assault-trial
 * "If there are specific risks which are likely to be longer term, then a name badge using a warrant number instead of a name can be authorised."
 * https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/policies/dress-code-policy-september2022.pdf
 * "When deployed at public order events in full protective equipment, name badges are not worn and officers of all ranks will wear epaulettes displaying their rank and individual 6-digit 'Warrant Number."
 * https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/inspector_commissioner_collar_nu
 * Epaulettes with warrant numbers:
 * https://imgur.com/a/CtIAP7N
 * https://imgur.com/a/DYuZDdO Wnjr (talk) 15:35, 4 February 2024 (UTC)

Have old station codes returned to the Met?
MR is listed as the obsolete code for Rotherhithe police station, which closed in 2017.

Yet officers on the street are once again wearing MR collar numbers, does anyone know what it now represents?

e.g. https://www.instagram.com/p/CzPO00hMayZ/ (5th image) https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GFcWD3HXQAAKCWD?format=png&name=900x900

Wnjr (talk) 15:49, 4 February 2024 (UTC)