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Policy 1027Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2021/09/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentDepartment Badges - 1Department Badges 1027.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The Santa Monica Police Department badge and uniform patch as well as the likeness of these items and the name of the Santa Monica Police Department are property of the Department and their use shall be restricted as set forth in this policy. 1027.2 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. In line with the opinion of the California Attorney General, the Department shall not issue civilian personnel uniform badges. 1027.2.1 FLAT BADGE A sworn officer, with the written approval of the Chief of Police may purchase, at his/her own expense, a flat badge capable of being carried in a wallet. The use of the flat badge is subject to all the same provisions of Departmental policy as the uniform badge. (a) A sworn officer may sell, exchange, or transfer the flat badge he/she purchased to another officer within the Santa Monica Police Department with the written approval of the Chief of Police. (b) Should the flat badge become lost, damaged, or otherwise removed from the officer’s control, he/she shall make the proper notifications as outlined in the Department Owned and Personal Property Policy. (c) An honorably retired officer may keep his/her flat badge upon retirement. (d) The purchase, carrying or display of a flat badge is not authorized for non-sworn personnel. 1027.2.2 CIVILIAN MEMBER PERSONNEL Cloth or fabric badges and Departmental identification cards issued to non-sworn personnel shall be clearly marked to reflect the position of the assigned employee (e.g. Traffic Services, Animal Control). (a) Civilian personnel 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) No civilian staff member shall 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. Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Department Badges Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2021/09/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police DepartmentDepartment Badges - 21027.2.3 RETIREE BADGE The Chief of Police may issue identification in the form of a badge, insignia, emblem, device, label, certificate, card or writing that clearly states the person has honorably retired from the Santa Monica Police Department. (This identification is separate and distinct from the identification authorized by Penal Code § 12027 and referenced in the Retired Officer CCW Endorsement Policy in this manual). A badge issued to an honorably retired peace officer that is not affixed to a plaque or other memento will have the words "Honorably Retired" clearly visible on its face. A retiree shall be instructed that any such badge will remain the property of the Santa Monica Police Department and will be revoked in the event of misuse or abuse (Penal Code § 538d). If a badge is lost or stolen, and a retiree desires to have the badge replaced, then he/she must file a lost or stolen property report within the appropriate law enforcement agency/jurisdiction. A replacement badge may be purchased after a copy of the police report has been provided to the Department. Once the report is received and reviewed by the Chief of Police or designee, then the retiree may pay for his/her replacement “Honorably Retired” badge including any associated shipping fees. The retiree may pick up the badge or choose to have it shipped by “insured” mail. A copy of the police report will be included in the retired employee’s file. 1027.2.4 RETIREE UNIFORM BADGE Upon honorable retirement, a sworn staff member may purchase his/her assigned duty badge for display purposes. It is intended that the duty badge be used only as private memorabilia as other uses of the badge may be unlawful or in violation of this policy. 1027.2.5 HONORABLE RESIGNATION- PURCHASE BADGES The Chief of Police or designee may, at his or her discretion, allow an honorably resigning sworn member to purchase his/her badge. The resigning sworn member must be in good standing with the Department. No badge will be issued to a sworn member who is resigning in lieu of termination. The Chief of Police will review and approve these requests on a case-by-case basis. If the resigning sworn members badge is lost or stolen, it will not be replaced nor may he or she purchase a replacement. 1027.3 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, whether cloth/fabric or metal, are issued to all sworn employees and civilian member 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