CorpComms Magazine

Police officers in Greater Manchester are to wear name badges as part of the force's commitment to 'customer service'. More than 8,100 officers and 4,000 civilian workers will wear magnetic badges displaying full name and rank.

The new rule, which chief constable Peter Fahy said would make the force 'more open and accountable', will even apply to plain clothed detectives, although undercover police or those wearing riot gear will escape.

Greater Manchester Police are the first force to make all officers wear name badges, although some other forces are piloting schemes for selected staff.

The move, which will cost £21,000, has not proved popular among police officers, with concerns that badges could be used inappropriately if stolen or that staff could be ridiculed for unusual names.

More than 350 people have joined a Facebook group opposing the plan, which they say will put them at risk. Ironically, many have used their real names and photographs.

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