Kilted to a police recruiting interview

**Wareyin** · 31st October 18, 02:47 PM

I see you are in Australia. I have no idea how conservative the local Police force is. Are they as biased against the kilt as some of our members seem to be?

**Lady Grey** · 31st October 18, 03:06 PM

Nope, No, Nada, No way!

Ex wife of an ex-copper here. (Victoria)

At the Board they are looking to see how he fits in.
If he makes it to the academy he needs to keep his head down - Bum up - Mouth shut during training. (Very similar to Army basic training)

Standing out, being flamboyant and making a statement -through his attire- is not what they are looking for.

Think about it from your perspective as a member of the public... would you want a copper turning up to your car accident, missing child, house burglary, etc who was more interested in making a statement about himself through his attire than actually listening and helping you?
That’s what the Board are looking for.

God knows I push the boundaries of kilt wear all the time... when it’s appropriate. It’s no different to me wearing a low cut top and mini skirt with CFM Boots to the same board/interview if I was applying... totally inappropriate.

If he was apply for a job in a retail menswear shop- great wear a kilt.
But for a police board?

Not on ya Nellie

**John_Carrick** · 31st October 18, 03:58 PM

Dark suit, white shirt, blue or red tie would be my advice.

**tokareva** · 31st October 18, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Grey

Nope, No, Nada, No way!

God knows I push the boundaries of kilt wear all the time... when it’s appropriate. It’s no different to me wearing a low cut top and mini skirt with CFM Boots to the same board/interview if I was applying... totally inappropriate.

Lady Grey, I would definitely hire you if you came to the interview dressed that way. To be certain though please send me a pic of your outfit.

**Bruce Scott** · 31st October 18, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Wareyin

I see you are in Australia. I have no idea how conservative the local Police force is. Are they as biased against the kilt as some of our members seem to be?

The Western Australian Police do have a kilted pipe band but If he's being interviewed for general police training I think the kilt should be left at home. I have lived in WA since 1993 and apart from individuals at Highland events, weddings, pipe bands and one old busker in Perth I have never seen anyone going about kilted.

**Garth** · 31st October 18, 11:11 PM

Thanks for everone's input.

**Tarheel** · 1st November 18, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by Garth

Thanks for everone's input.

As Devil's Advocate for this thread, you are welcome. A question like the one you posted is worth the opinion of the group.

**jthk** · 1st November 18, 09:19 AM

I'm a public schoolteacher and wear kilts nearly every day inside and outside of work. I dress appropriately for work with ties, waistcoat, etc. Outside of work involves more casual attire. However, if I were to attend an interview for a new job, I would wear a conservative but well-fitting business suit. I'm not going to pass judgement on anyone who wears a kilt to the interview. There are far more important skills and contributions to assess in such a situation.

I'm grateful that I have a reputation as a good and fair teacher and that my students nearly always enjoy my classes. The only exception to the above statements is if I were to be interviewed for a position where my reputation proceeded me and the interviewers were LOOKING FOR the kilt. I can't imagine that happening so ... back to the suit!

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Garth

Thanks for everone's input.

**Allan Thomson** · 1st November 18, 11:55 AM

For all those in the no camp, some of the responses are somewhat alarming, given that police forces are supposed to.be looking at diversity.

Let's say for one minute if the police force had a pipe band and the interviewee was a piper...then wearing a kilt promoting a discussion could be a good move. Or if the individual was ex forces from a kilted regiment?....

What I'd say is don't ask random people online for their opinion. Assess and consider the situation based on your own intelligence and not the views of those who may despite out of date experience be somewhat out of touch with the more modern world...

Just remember if you wear it you will be more than likely asked why so make sure you have a good explanation for why it is important to you...and remember you will stand out...so make sure you're ahead of the game and with a lot to offer..mthat way you will be remembered as that outstanding smartly turned out kilted candidate and not just the eccentric kilt clad guy without a clue or anything to offer thrm...

**Mpfox1733** · 3rd November 18, 01:27 AM

I am a Sergeant with a large Sheriff's office in the southwest. I have been with this agency for 13 years. That is not the time to be different, and very strict attention should be paid to any instructions given especially on dress. The one guy in my academy who wore a blue tie instead of a black one ended up doing pushups until he quit the first day. The name of the game is don't stand out.

That being said now that I have years of experience and a good reputation as a former SWAT guy with a little rank I will wear my kilt to and from work, but I still get my share of "hard time" from the guys on occasion. I would never consider wearing a kilt to a promotional board or any thing of that nature.