MEMORABILIA
Remember the Days ...
Place your mouse over any
picture for a description
Series 1
- Upper Left:
October 20, 1851, the first known metallic
badge worn by Baltimore Police Officers - a large six pointed star with
Baltimore's official city seal, The War of 1813 "Battle Monument" over
the year 1797 (the year Baltimore City was incorporated) in an oval center.
Within this oval center, across the top and sides are the words "City
Police." Reissued in 1997 to celebrate our 200th anniversary, officers
purchased this badge and wore it for that year only.
Series 2 - Center Badge:
May 1, 1860, a new "Metropolitan
Police" force under a Board of Police Commissioner's (BOC), state-appointed
civilians, signaled the retirement of the "Corporation Police force"
A new badge was authorized. This large oval badge with Roman "fasces,"
and an axe bound by wooden rods, as its central symbol. Across the top and sides
of the "fasces" is a banner with the words "Baltimore
Police" in raised letters.
Series 3a & 3b - Upper Right:
June 22,1862, a newly formed Police force
appeared in a completely new uniform with a new series of badges. With the same
center section of the first badge, and returning the designation of "City
Police" surrounded by twenty small points encircled by a narrow rim.
Series 4 - Lower Left:
May 27, 1890, worn with a new uniform by all
members of the force. This is a shield-shaped badge with the word
"POLICE" across the top, Maryland seal in the center and a ribbon with
the officers number across the bottom. Sergeant's and above had an eagle on top
of the shield. Lieutenants and above wore a badge gold in color. The eagle on
the badges had a ribbon in its beak denoting the rank of the officer.
Series 5 - Lower Right:
Badge currently worn by Baltimore Police
Officers. With exception to the Series 2 badge the word Baltimore did not appear
on any official Police badges. The Series 5 badge is similar to the Series 4
supervisors badge with a new center seal that is the same as worn on the patch.
Police Officers and supervisors wear the same badge with the ribbon in the
eagles beak denoting the rank. Lieutenant's and above wear the same badge that
is gold in color.
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