The Visor Cap and Its Features
A senior officer's New Zealand Police visor cap provides the subject for this new painting. Its peaked shape, badge and decorative embroidery raise interesting questions about how uniform details distinguish appointments and ranks.
In 1976 the New Zealand Police introduced a Forage Visor Cap for the senior ranks.
New Zealand Police, commissioned officers holding the rank of Inspector and above feature silver oak leaf bullion embroidery (traditionally referred to as "scrambled egg") on the visors of their peaked forage caps.
- Inspector: Features a single row of silver oak leaf bullion.
Superintendent and higher ranks (including Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Commissioner): Feature two rows of silver oak leaf bullion.
Conversely, lower ranks such as Constables, Sergeants, and Senior Sergeants wear standard caps with plain, shiny black plastic visors.
For a complete breakdown of how these senior ranks are distinguished on their primary uniforms, their epaulette insignias differ as follows:
| Rank | Epaulette Insignia | Cap Peak Embroidery |
|---|---|---|
| Inspector | Three stars (based on the Order of the Bath) | Single row of silver oak leaves |
| Superintendent | A single St Edward's Crown | Two rows of silver oak leaves |
| Assistant Commissioner | Crossed sword and baton | Two rows of silver oak leaves |
| Deputy Commissioner | Crossed sword and baton surrounded by a laurel wreath | Two rows of silver oak leaves |
| Commissioner | Crossed sword and baton with a St Edward's Crown above | Two rows of silver oak leaves (Also features a solid blue band instead of the checkered Sillitoe Tartan) |
This is a painting of a senior police officer possibly a Superintendent. Below is the original sketch and then the final painting.
Explore related art and historical background for related artwork and background.
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