What to know about a police badge

Primarily, a badge is any device or a form of accessory that contains any form of emblem or insignia of an organization. It can also be a sign that indicated that a person has achieved some feat of service, a special accomplishment, or a symbol of authority. In some cases, a badge can also stand for a sign of legitimate employment or studentship status, or as a simple means of identification. But the concept of police badges differs from all of these. In fact, police badge come in handy as an essential police gear.

The concept of a police badge dates as far back as the medieval times when knights wore a coat of arms representing their allegiances and loyalty to their kingdom. Centuries down the lane and badges are still in use by various police institutions all over the world.

Unlike in the medieval period when badges were made from pieces of cloth, badges today can be made from metal, plastic, leather, textile, and rubber. You can find them on clothing, bags, footwear, vehicles, home electrical equipment, etc. Textile-based badges or patches are also used today. They can be attached by weaving or by embroidery. They can also be attached by other means such as gluing, ironing-on, sewing or applique.

Badges are a key part of the police force and the military alike. Nowadays, a police gear is not complete without a badge. They are used to identify the wearer’s unit or the arm to which the wearer belongs. Badges can also be used to denote ranks and achievements in a police force or a military setting. One of the most popular badges is the U.S sheriff’s badge. This badge was made popular by the old westerns. It remains a sign of leadership and loyalty to the force today.

Police badges are unique with every officer having a distinct badge number. This can be particularly useful for identification and tracking should the need arises.

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