South African Police Camouflage Beret. South Africa.
Cloth camouflage beret with metal badge for South African Police. South Africa.
Pre-1994.
Worn originally only by the South African Police Task Force, but in 1990's the SAP Riot Units were also issued with the berets to wear with their camouflage uniform. This one was most likely used by the Riot Unit.
Fair condition. Missing adjusting string and shows wear.
Cloth camouflage beret with metal badge for South African Police. South Africa.
Pre-1994.
Worn originally only by the South African Police Task Force, but in 1990's the SAP Riot Units were also issued with the berets to wear with their camouflage uniform. This one was most likely used by the Riot Unit.
Fair condition. Missing adjusting string and shows wear.
Cloth camouflage beret with metal badge for South African Police. South Africa.
Pre-1994.
Worn originally only by the South African Police Task Force, but in 1990's the SAP Riot Units were also issued with the berets to wear with their camouflage uniform. This one was most likely used by the Riot Unit.
Fair condition. Missing adjusting string and shows wear.
The South African Police was established in 1913 after the Union of South Africa was created.
In 1961 South Africa became a Republic.
During the late 1960's the South African Police started with border patrols on the South West Africa (now Namibia) and Angola border and assisted Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in their fight against terrorism.
The SAP camouflage was developed in the 1970's and issued to all members on Border Duty.
During the late 1980's, early 1990's the SAP Riot Units also started wearing camouflage uniform.
The Riot Units' name later changed to A.B.S./I.S.D (Afdeling Binnelandse Stabiliteit/Internal Stability Division) and later to P.O.P (Public Order Policing/Publieke Orde Polisiering).
The Riot Units were responsible for patrolling the African townships, rural areas and deal with riots, political unrest, voilence, protest, gatherings, etc.
The South African Police Task Force wore camouflage as well and were the first to wear the berets.
The Riot Units were issued with berets in about 1991 and used it for about three years before the camouflage uniforms were replaced with the grey field dress uniforms.
