The new Dutch police uniform featuring a cap, polo shirt and more fitted trousers was presented to the public on Friday

The new uniform is designed to make the police look tougher and more modern, police chief Gerard Bouman told Nos television. ‘Every citizen will see straight away that they are police officers, that they are a modern police force, helpful and accessible, but tough and strong at the same time,’ Bouman said.

Instead of stiff, wide-legged trousers, police agents will wear more fitted trousers with side pockets. The white shirt makes way for a dark polo shirt with two yellow stripes. The shoes become ankle boots.

Fashion journalist and editor of Esquire magazine Arno Kantelberg told the Volkskrant, the uniform is a hotchpotch. ‘Because the design is based on input from the wearers, the result is what you expect from design by committee: a mishmash that is no doubt more practical but which has no clear signature.’