VICTORIA Police is paying up to $380,000 to test samples of material for its new-look navy uniforms before a single shirt is made.

While the force is yet to even decide who will make its new New York police-styled uniforms, it has signed an eight-month contract with the Australian Wool Testing Authority to test garment samples from those hoping to win the job.

Officers will be dressed in the darker uniforms later this year as part of a get-tough image overhaul.

Police Association assistant secretary Insp Bruce McKenzie said the outlay for the garment testing was an extraordinary amount of money that could be much better used.

"Victoria Police has its own experts who could do that job for no more than what they are already paid in their salaries, rather than spending this extraordinary amount of money," he said.