A "police forge hat" refers to a police forage cap, a formal peaked hat that is part of the dress uniform for many police services in Commonwealth countries. The term "forge" is a result of a common mispronunciation of "forage".
About the forage cap
Military origin: The forage cap originated as a comfortable, soft cap for military personnel to wear while performing everyday duties or "foraging" for supplies.
Police adoption: In Canada, police forces adopted a version of the forage cap, but dissatisfaction with its comfort and lack of sun protection has led to many forces switching to more practical baseball caps for regular duty.
Current use in policing: While no longer the standard for daily patrol, forage caps are still worn for more formal occasions. In Canada, you might see them as part of the ceremonial or administrative dress uniform for events like parades, funerals, or memorial services.
Ventilated Mesh Band, Removable Band, Black Shiny Peak, Single Black Strap
A single or double oak branch on a police force hat signifies a high rank, with a single oak leaf often indicating a captain or similar level and a double oak leaf indicating a higher leadership position like a chief of police. However, the specific rank associated with these symbols varies significantly by department, with oak leaves being more commonly seen on the hats of officers in the United States.
Oak Leaf and Police Rank Symbolism
Oak Leaves and Rank:
In many U.S. police departments, oak leaf symbols on a cap's brim denote rank, with the number of leaves indicating the level of authority.
Single Oak Leaf:
A single oak leaf typically signifies a higher officer such as a Captain.
Double Oak Leaf:
A double oak leaf indicates a more senior rank, often representing a Chief of Police or a similarly high leadership position.
Variations by Department:
It is important to note that these symbols are not universal across all U.S. police forces. For example, a police officer's rank in the U.S. is indicated by an insignia on their epaulets, not by the symbols on their hat.
Example
If you see a single oak leaf on the brim of a police hat, it often means the officer holds the rank of Captain.
A double oak leaf would signal an even higher position, such as a Chief of Police.