Taipei, June 1 (CNA) Military police officers responsible for maintaining security around the Presidential Office and the Presidential Residence have been given new uniforms that would allow them to move more easily and quickly, the military said Thursday.
The members of the 211st and 332nd military police battalions are now wearing a close-fitting dark blue shirt and pants, a black cap, a black vest that says MP on the front, and a black belt with a handgun holster.
It is a change from the uniform they had been wearing since 2007, which essentially comprised black slacks and loose, long light green shirts.
The new uniform would allow more flexible movements and quicker response in the event of an emergency, according to Huang Hou-tai, head of the 211st military police battalion.
He also said that the letters MP on the vest identify the officers as Military Police.
A budget of about NT$8.6 million (US$285,466) has been allocated for the new uniform, which is only for officers protecting the Presidential Office and Presidential Residence, the military said.
Honor guards will continue to wear the typical military police uniform, the military said.
