xoaqwepo: black and white patterns

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Sillitoe Tartan may be composed of several different colours and number of rows depending on local custom, but when incorporated into uniforms or vehicle livery serves to uniquely identify emergency services personnel to the public.

The Sillitoe tartan was an exclusively Scottish phenomenon until introduced in South Australia in 1961. From 1972, within the United Kingdom, the original black and white Scottish version began to rapidly spread throughout England and Wales and it is now used by all police forces in Great Britain. Most forces use black and white chequered hat bands, however the City of London Police is unique in that it uses distinctive red and white chequers. Blue and white chequers are also associated with the police, and may be used on vehicles and signage.

While blue and white chequers denotes police across Australia (with the notable exception of the Australian Federal Police, which uses black and white chequers), other coloured chequered patterns may be used to denote other emergency services and particular usage varies from state to state. For example, in New South Wales (NSW) the Ambulance Service uses red and white chequers on ambulances and paramedic's uniforms, while the State Emergency Service uses orange and white Sillitoe Tartan. St. John Ambulance uses a white and green pattern on their vehicles and operational uniforms in both South Australia and Victoria.

Use of the Sillitoe Tartan is rare in Canada and is usually limited to auxiliary police services. For example, the Toronto Police Auxiliary wear a red and black chequered band on their caps.