Custom Police Badges: The Unique Symbol of Courage, Sacrifice and Service

One of the most elegant attires in the world is the uniform, apart from its fundamental use differentiating between different disciplines of any field, every uniform carries with it, its charm and decorum.

Although all uniforms have their grace, it’s the uniform of the armed forces that have the most respect and appeal. Seeing an officer in his uniform automatically means you are safe, everything about his/her appearance means protection and safety. The uniform, the baton and the badge are symbols of strength and loyalty. They impart trust and security to anyone needing help and instill fear among anyone causing trouble.

The police badge is the most prominent accessory of the entire ensemble, it is a small metal badge, a shield or star worn by officers on which the emblem of their department, name brand and their identification is engraved. It is not just any piece of metal, it is an icon which best represents identification, authority and sacrifice.

The Sheriff’s star-shaped badge usually has 5 to 7 points and each point represents a virtue and these are Service, Courage, Innovation, Respect, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity.

There is no other police accessory that best differentiates a policeman from a civilian without saying a word, firearms are also carried by criminals but only heroes get the privilege of wearing a police badge. It sends a message of fear every time it is flashed in front of a criminal.

In 1999 the San Jose Police Department celebrated its 150th anniversary and to commemorate the special occasion unique police badges were designed in a pre-1976 style and were worn throughout the year.

Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, police patrolmen and officers all have different custom police badges which although represent the same motto of “Serve and Protect”, are designed in different patterns. The Sheriff’s badge is the most popular law enforcement badge in the world, where badges of the municipal police officers are shaped like a shield this badge is star-shaped thus making is one of a kind.

Every security officer badge has a unique identification number which matches to the officer it has been issued to, in some police departments badges are carry forwarded from generation to generation as a symbolic gesture, it gives the current bearer the responsibility to carry forward the legacy of the previous holder and maintain the dignity of the badge just like his predecessor did.

When an officer dies, other officers cover their badges with black mourning bands as a sign of respect to the deceased officer, this tradition is also seen on National Peace Officers Memorial Day on 15th May.

Security Guard Badges are light weighted metal accessories which are worn on the left pocket of the uniform, in spite of their weight and size they carry the weight of the entire law enforcement on them. They are worn on the heart because courage, sacrifice and the will to serve all come from the heart.