Tokyo police embrace cooling gear to protect officers from extreme heat
This year, the force began allowing officers to wear neck coolers and is also testing ventilated vests and distributing cooling sprays in a bid to ensure staff safety and maintain operational efficiency.
The decision to introduce neck coolers followed requests from officers stationed at local police boxes. The coolers are designed to be worn discreetly beneath uniform collars, and were distributed in July to all staff, including those working indoors.
'It cools the area around the neck and improves work efficiency,' one officer noted in feedback provided to the department.
In addition to the neckwear, some precincts are trialing lightweight, moisture-wicking polo shirt-style summer uniforms, along with vests equipped with built-in fans. The department will decide whether to fully adopt these items based on user feedback.
Cooling sprays — applied directly to clothing — have also been distributed since last year and have been well received among officers.
'Using it after coming back from patrol instantly decreases how hot you feel,' one officer said.
Tokyo police first began distributing heat-related equipment in 2019, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The initial step was permitting officers to carry plastic water bottles — a shift from prior norms.
A police officer wears a vest equipped with a built-in fan in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 10. |
Jiji
'At the time, there was this perception that officers shouldn't carry bottles or drink water while on duty,' said Yasuyoshi Hada, head of the department's regional affairs division. But in recent years, that attitude has changed. Hada said the department now receives messages from Tokyo residents expressing concern for officers working in the heat.
'Public understanding of the need for heat countermeasures has grown,' he said.
The number of days when temperatures in Tokyo exceed 35 degrees Celsius continues to rise annually. Between June and September last year, 7,996 people were taken to the hospital by ambulance in the capital due to heatstroke or suspected cases of it, according to the Tokyo Fire Department.
Within the Tokyo police force, there have been more than 50 cases of officers suffering heatstroke on the job for three consecutive years.
'If heat affects police activity, it impacts the daily lives of Tokyo residents,' Hada said. 'We want to keep improving conditions so officers can carry out their duties in comfort, while incorporating feedback.'
Translated by The Japan Times
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