Gendarmerie (Belgium) - Uniforms

Uniforms

During much of its history the Rijkswacht/Gendarmerie wore a distinctive dark blue and red uniform with high-collared tunics, white aiguillettes and wide topped kepis, dating from the nineteenth century (see photograph above). This was retained as full dress wear until the late 1960s but was thereafter replaced by a modern uniform comprising a dark blue peaked cap with red piping, dark blue coat with open collar and red Gendarmerie insignia, a light blue shirt with tie, dark blue trousers with red piping (a single stripe on the side of the leg) and the distinctive shoulder rank insignia.

All modern Belgian Police officers wear a "soft" civilian style uniform in keeping with the image required by the Community Oriented Policing-strategy.