Velcro? How would that be any better than buttons or whatever? And it is a disciplinary issue.
I can't excuse every episode that's ever happened, but I've already said: there are plenty of people who like to get themselves little trophies from their run ins with the police, and if you're in a...
People stick cameras in my face all the time at work. Have I ever confiscated anyone's camera over it? No. I might occasionally feel it's a bit rude or inappropriate- for example if I'm at a crash holding the bits of someone's smashed up body/limbs together while the paramedics stick tubes down...
It's probably a cost thing. Pretty sure it is in Sussex anyway, as their budget is less than many forces.
Each officer has at the very minimum a stab vest, lightweight & heavyweight jackets, and fleeces that would require identifying marks.
To issue kit with names/numbers sewn on would be...
If you are referring to the officer in the video that's on the BBC, I believe that one out of his pair of shoulder epaulettes is missing, not both. Secondly, I am almost certain from watching it that he's not a Sussex officer (different uniform).
I don't know how the epaulette came to be...