VICTORIA, B.C. - Frontline RCMP officers across British Columbia are beginning to wear new navy-blue uniform shirts this month, replacing the traditional grey shirts as the national uniform rollout reaches B.C.
BC RCMP said in a news release issued Tuesday, October 27, 2026, that beginning in October, officers in frontline positions at detachments across the province will start wearing the new navy-blue shirts. The national rollout began in the spring of 2025 and has been extending province by province over the last 12 months, with shirts reaching officers through the scheduled national distribution plan.
Both uniforms are official during the transition
During the transition period, members of the public may see RCMP officers wearing either the traditional grey uniform shirt or the new navy-blue version while on duty.
Both uniforms are official RCMP attire, police stressed, and officers may continue to wear the grey shirts or the navy-blue shirts for the foreseeable future. The change applies to uniform shirts; the rest of the operational uniform, including the vest marked “Police,” is unchanged.
Who is not changing
Major crime investigators and officers in specialized units, such as the Emergency Response Team (ERT), the Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET) and the Underwater Recovery Team (URT), will continue to wear their current unit-specific uniforms or plain clothes as required.
How to check an officer is genuine
BC RCMP said it recognizes the change in appearance may lead to questions from the public. Police noted there have been recent incidents involving individuals impersonating police officers, and they encourage anyone with concerns about an officer’s identity to ask for official identification.
Members of the public are also always welcome to contact their local RCMP detachment’s non-emergency line to verify whether an RCMP officer is working in their area.
The new shirts are part of the RCMP’s ongoing effort to modernize its uniform while maintaining the professionalism and public trust Canadians expect from their national police service, the release said. Surrey residents will see the new shirts on the RCMP officers who serve in provincial and federal roles in and around the city, alongside Surrey Police Service officers, whose uniform is unchanged.
Source: BC RCMP news release, October 27, 2026.
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