COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus Police Department has come up with its own unique way to observe the 200th anniversary of the city and Bartholomew County this year.
Many active and retired officers have ordered their own bicentennial commemoration badges, said Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman. These specialty badges were obtained through a company called Badge and Wallet, located northeast of New York City, that specializes in manufacturing a variety of items for law enforcement agencies.
“We looked at a number of designs and wanted something different than what our officers usually wear,” Harris said. “But at the same time, we also wanted badges that assure the public they were addressing a genuine police officer.”
One unique thing is that the specialty badges display the officer’s official number, which Harris says isn’t engraved on conventional badges anymore. It is intended to add an individual touch, so that when officers start wearing their conventional badges at the end of this year, they will still have a lifetime keepsake, Harris said.
Columbus Police Chief Michael Richardson emphasized the officers are purchasing their own commemorative badges, so it is not an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.
“It’s not mandatory,” Richardson said. “It’s up to the officer on whether or not to purchase them.”
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
