Policy Text
Policy
1036Fremont Police Department
Department Badges
1036.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Fremont Police Department badge and uniform patch as well as the likeness of these items
and the name of the Fremont Police Department are property of the Department and their use
shall be restricted as set forth in this policy.
1036.2 POLICY
The uniform badge shall be issued to department members as a symbol of authority and the use
and display of departmental badges shall be in strict compliance with this policy. Only authorized
badges issued by this department shall be displayed, carried or worn by members while on duty
or otherwise acting in an official or authorized capacity.
1036.2.1 BADGE ACCOUNTING
All badges are the property of the Fremont Police Department and proper accounting must be
maintained utilizing a variety of methods.
Promotional Badges: Sworn staff receiving a promotion to a higher rank which require issuance
of a new badge shall relinquish and return the previous (lower rank) badge to the department
(Business Services or a Division Commander).
Specialty Assignment Badges: If an employee is issued a specialty assignment badge,
the officer should keep their originally issued badge in a secure location (e.g. FPD locker,
locked drawer, home safe, etc.) while assigned to the position.Upon completion of the specialty
assignment, sworn personnel shall return the specialty assignment badge to the department
(Business Services or Division Commander).
All badges issued during an employee’s career will be logged and individually filed in a secure
location at the Fremont Police Department.
Prior to retiring or separating from service, employees shall return all department issued badges
to Business Services or a Division Commander.
Temporary badges will be issued to new employees or employees who have misplaced their
department issued badge. Temporary badges will be logged and shall be returned once
an employee receives a new department issued/assigned badge.The Personnel Unit will be
responsible for issuing and collecting temporary badges.
1036.2.2 FLAT BADGE
The department may purchase and issue sworn officers, a flat badge capable of being carried in
a wallet when assigned to certain specialty units. The use of the flat badge is subject to all the
same provisions of departmental policy as the uniform badge.
(a)Flat badges are the property of the Fremont Police Department. Flat badges shall
be returned to the department prior to an employee’s retirement, separation or upon
demand by a Division Commander or Chief of Police.
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Department Badges
(b)The carrying or display of a flat badge is not authorized for professional employees.
1036.2.3 PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES
Badges and departmental identification cards issued to professional employees shall be clearly
marked to reflect the position of the assigned employee (e.g. Community Service Officer,
Communications Dispatcher, Animal Services Officer).
(a)Professional employees shall not display any department badge except as a part of
his/her uniform and while on duty, or otherwise acting in an official and authorized
capacity.
(b)Professional employees shall not display any department badge or represent him/
herself, on or off duty, in such a manner which would cause a reasonable person to
believe that he/she is a sworn peace officer.
1036.2.4 RETIREE OR SERVICE SEPARATION
Employees shall return department issued badges prior to retirement or separating from service.
Upon honorable retirement or separation from service, employees may be gifted and presented
with badges worn or issued during their career as outlined in the Employee Retirement Recognition
Policy.The gifted badges are intended to be commemorative, used as private memorabilia and
will be mounted or affixed to a plaque or display case as required by law. (PC 538d(d)(2)).
The department may collect, or demand badges be returned to the organization prior to honorable
retirement or separation from employment in order to conduct and complete the badge mounting
process.
The Chief of Police of Division Commander may authorize an honorably retiring sworn officer to
purchase a “Retired” police badge. “Retired” badges must be in accordance with the law (PC
538d(d)(2)) and the words “Honorably Retired” shall be visible on the badge.
Lost or damaged Retired police badges should be reported to the department as outlined in section
Department Owned and Personal Property Policy.Cost of replacement is the responsibility of the
retired officer.
1036.3 UNAUTHORIZED USE
Except as required for on-duty use by current employees, no badge designed for carry or display in
a wallet, badge case or similar holder shall be issued to anyone other than a current or honorably
retired peace officer.
Department badges are issued to all sworn employees and civilian uniformed employees for official
use only. The department badge, shoulder patch or the likeness thereof, or the department name
shall not be used for personal or private reasons including, but not limited to, letters, memoranda,
and electronic communications such as electronic mail or web sites and web pages.
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The use of the badge, uniform patch and department name for all material (printed matter,
products, social media, websites, or other items) developed for department use shall be subject
to approval by the Chief of Police.
Employees shall not loan his/her department badge or identification card to others and shall not
permit the badge or identification card to be reproduced or duplicated.
1036.