A police force today launched a review of its uniform policy after an officer was told to remove a Union Jack flag badge.
The officer was wearing the badge in support of Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity which helps the families of police officers who have lost their lives on duty.
But the unnamed man, working for Sussex Police, was told to remove it from his uniform and was reminded of the strict regulations regarding police uniform.
Sussex Police said it was not part of their Uniform and Standards Appearance policy.
A spokeswoman said: "The public expect us to look smart and professional.
"Standards regarding what our officers wear need to be maintained otherwise officers and staff could end up wearing a whole array of badges for different worthy causes and the uniform would no longer be a uniform."
Remembrance Day poppies and White Ribbon badges are not yet included in uniform guidelines. But Sussex Police's Acting Chief Constable Steve Barry said there is "scope" for these to be added if a request is received.
Mr Barry admitted there is a "strong feeling" from officers about worthy causes and as a result, police chiefs have arranged an urgent review of this matter this week.
He said: "Items worn by officers on their uniforms should maintain the standards of professionalism as overseen by the Uniform Committee; there are many good causes that officers may choose to support in such a way but we need to maintain a uniform standard.
"The issue of wearing charity emblems on uniforms has shown that we have perhaps not always maintained the highest standard of uniform across the force in the past, this includes at all ranks.
"This gives us an opportunity to tighten up our standards of dress and it is on this point that we look forward to discussion on these issues with the Federation and Unison."
