Keeping Traditions Alive

Keeping Traditions Alive
By: Marty Katz

A badge, shield, or star —regardless of what your agency calls is the symbol of authority.   As I travel around the country, some traditions have remained intact.  All agencies issue a hard symbol of the individual’s authority. The badge, shield, or star. While this is the most visible, the identification card issued remains the real authoritative symbol.   The card remains in your wallet while the badge is there for the world to observe.

The law enforcement community is deep in traditions.  As the world changes, some traditions must remain unchanged.  The manner in which this symbol, the badge, is earned and awarded must never change.

Everyone must complete a basic police academy.  The individual must initially prove themselves.  Earning the right to become a law enforcement officer is based solely on that individual’s performance.  No money, good old boy system, or political influence must be involved in this process.  Any help at this time will have a disastrous effect later, as that unproven officer might be your backup or called upon to assist a victim.  The public deserves only qualified officers, and the only way this happens is by successfully completing the required academy.

There are two times a badge is presented to an officer.  The first is upon graduating from a police academy, and the second is upon being promoted.

Both are very exciting times.  The first time is when the recruit walks across the stage, a process that is the same or very similar in every academy.  The recruit’s name is called, and that proud individual walks up and receives their certification from the academy, usually from the academy director.  Then they walk a bit further, and either their chief or sheriff presents them with the badge.  After all the names are called, the recruit class stands and gets sworn in.  This is followed by the families or significant others being asked to come forward and pin the badge on the new officers' uniforms.  For it is these people who will be most important in the officer’s life.  They will be there for the ups and downs, the joys and sadness, and long after the uniform is put to rest.  It is as much a celebration for the new officer and their families as it is for the community.  I remember my mother and father pinning the badge to my freshly pressed uniform and seeing tears in their eyes. 

The second time is when the officer is promoted.  Standard practice is to read the officer's bio and career highlights to the audience, then invite the officer to the stage to be presented with the new rank.  After the chief or sheriff hands the badge to the officer, the family or significant others are requested to join the officer on the stage. For the same reasons as before, the family or significant others pin the badge on the uniform of the newly promoted officer. This time, it was my wife doing the honors.

Ye, there might be a third time. You are handed your retirement badge and retirement credentials. Usually, that is not done in a celebratory setting. For me, it was walking into Human Resources, trading my wallet containing my live credentials, and receiving the retirement items.

In closing, the law enforcement community is a society of deep-standing traditions that are kept alive from generation to generation.  It is our way of honoring those who serve.