According to the National Sources of Law Enforcement Employment Data, there are over 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving in the United States. That figure, the highest it’s ever been, means that the force is growing. Of course, the officers are spread across various law enforcement agencies, which creates a need for various uniforms with custom patching. Whether you’re just curious about the meaning behind different patch shapes, or you’re looking to implement a shape into your department’s uniform, this post will help you understand the different patch shapes and what they mean. 

 

Tombstones: Memorial, Grief 

 

Patches shaped like tombstones usually carry sentimental messages about a lost loved one. They mimic the stone markers you see on graves and are nothing more than a memorial. As a police or sheriff’s department, you may opt for this emblem shape if you wish to honor a serviceman who lost his life on the battlefield. It would go a long way toward showing solidarity from within the force. 

 

Tabs (Squares & Rectangles): Formality, Also Casualness 

 

When a patch is either square or rectangular, it symbolizes a particular degree of formalism. On the other hand, they could carry a simple, casual message, depending on who is using them. For example, when your department fits a rectangle patch showing the American flag, it gives a formal touch to the uniform. 

 

Shields: Formality, Loyalty to the Force 

 

Most police and fire departments have shields embroidered in their uniform as a message of their subscription to the force. Together with tab shapes, shield patches give the uniform a particular neatness, which explains why many law enforcement agencies prefer them. 

 

Since you now know the meaning of different shapes, perhaps you’re ready to design a new patch for your department. Whether you already know what shape and design you’d like, or you need assistance from our graphic design team, we will help you pick the optimal size and design so your department can have a new look that reflects your mission and vision.

Oftentimes, when people meet a police officer, the first thing they notice is the officer’s uniform. With that said, the uniform is of utmost importance, especially since it portrays authority in a pristine way. But how did the concept of police apparel and law enforcement patches begin? In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the history of police apparel and patches.

The First Standard Police Apparel

According to Sage Publications, the first standard police apparel was developed by the London Metropolitan Police, which was also the first modern police force, in 1829. The idea behind the police apparel was to ensure that the newly created police department would be able to share common authority. This idea worked because the “uniform” ensured that people viewed the police force as a legitimate organization. Members of the London Metropolitan Force were required to wear appropriate uniforms and display batch numbers for easy identification by the public. During this time period, the idea of police apparel and law enforcement patches gained momentum and quickly made its way to the United States.

The Significance of Custom Police Apparel

Today, law enforcement patches are an important part of law enforcement positions since they are used to communicate the authority that the wearer of the uniform holds. Although police apparel has undergone several design changes over the years, law enforcement patches continue to be a vital part of uniforms. Since various members of the police force are affiliated with specific departments, the use of custom law enforcement patches is useful for distinguishing one department from another. At The Emblem Authority, our team is equipped with over 70 years of combined experience. Our design team works with organizations on a daily basis to create custom embroidered patches that accurately represent the individual character of each department. 

How to Customize Law Enforcement Patches

Not only is it interesting to learn about the history of police apparel and patches, but this insight helps highlight the concept behind police apparel and patches. In short, patches are uniquely designed to identify the department a police officer is associated with. We believe that these patches should accurately represent your department and always be up to par with your standards for quality and accuracy. Take a look at our About page to see how our values are embedded in our products.

With decades of hands-on experience, we will work with you to create custom-made law enforcement patches that are optimal for your organization. With every order, you can expect a top-quality product that is durable and designed to your department’s taste. Contact us today to receive a complimentary quote.

 

According to IPA, the United States has roughly 17,985 police agencies. These agencies include county sheriff’s offices, city police departments, federal law enforcement, and state police/highway patrol. All of these agencies use distinctive patches as part of their uniforms. The following are key ways to ensure you have an excellent police patch.

Professional Appearance

First, you should check to see if the design you have in mind is a complimentary fit for your uniform. You can take a look at our custom police patches for design inspiration if you don’t already have a logo or design you want to use. We encourage you to work with our professionals who have extensive knowledge and experience with patch design work. Our experts will ensure the patch you decide on looks clean and is to your liking. And remember, patches can be present not only on uniforms but also on shirts, hats and more. 

The Durability of the Patch

If you plan to wear your patch often, investing in a QUALITY  embroidery patch is of the utmost importance. Our durable embroidered patches and our high quality PVC patches can be sewn onto most any uniform or outerwear. If velcro is an option on your uniform, an embroidered or PVC patch with velcro on the back are both great, extremely versatile and durable options. Rest assured, all of our patches are crafted with top-quality materials and made by professionals who are equipped with years of experience. So, no matter what type of patch you choose, we promise to deliver a well-designed, lasting product.

Use of Colorfast Threads

There are a variety of threads available. Our custom police patches are of the highest quality, including the superior thread used to create your design. We use colorfast threads in our production, which means the final product is not prone to fraying or fading.

Fine Twills

Fine twills are used to produce a premium quality fabric that is lightweight and durable. Fine twills have a slightly rippled look to them as they come from natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or silk. You can use them for various purposes, including military uniforms and police patches.

Police patches provide identification for officers and so much more. They also symbolize honor, belonging, and pride in one’s country, state, county or city. Police patches encompass various different meanings with an array of design features. An excellent police patch has symbolic meaning in its design. If you want to provide your department with the best custom patches, contact us today for a free quote!

Firefighters play an important role by helping to control fire outbreaks and rescuing people trapped in house fire accidents. The impact of their jobs is mostly felt in densely populated areas. Statistics show that in 2018, 67% of professional firefighters worked in areas with a population of 25,000 or more. Needless to say, firefighters are important parts of keeping our day-to-day lives safe.

 

Fire departments employ embroidered patches to give themselves a unique identity. Patches have symbols and text inscriptions that help firefighters express their commitment to their department’s core objective while also making it simple for individuals in the communities they serve to recognize them. The symbolic nature of fire dept patches emphasizes the need for an excellent design. Here are some design tips for creating an excellent firefighter patch.

 

Make It Bold

 

Strong designs and bold writing are recommended for easy visibility. Traditional needlework procedures make it difficult to recreate delicate, tiny, and small writing. While developing fire dept patches, you should use thick and easily visible text. Thick and visible text makes fire dept patches more appealing, legible, and recognizable.

 

Simplicity Is Essential

 

When creating designs, most people prefer simplicity and avoid complexity. When it comes to patches, the same rule applies, and you should keep to a minimal design. Consider the most well-known patches, such as law-enforcement department patches, and you’ll see how straightforward they are. People easily recognize an organization’s patch when it has a straightforward and simple design.

 

Pay Attention to Border Colors

 

When creating fire dept patches, the border should not be disregarded. Remember that border-color might increase or decrease backdrop depth, which affects visibility. Border colors compliment the background and grab the most attention since they provide depth to it. Test out different colors in your borders to find which one causes your design to pop the most.

 

Contrast Matters

 

Humans are more predisposed to respond to contrast than to flatness. With the correct contrast, an emblem will be imprinted on the minds of anybody who sees it. A good illustration of this design principle is black and white patches, which have stood the test of time because they are easy to remember. This does not imply that you must adhere to a black and white scheme, but choosing a bold color scheme with adequate contrast can assist you in finding the perfect balance.

 

Consulting and exchanging ideas with a design company helps immensely in designing an excellent patch for your fire department. Always get a second opinion on your design, and don’t be afraid to make big changes. If you need design ideas and professional guidance for your custom fire dept patches, contact us today!

 

As early as 1888, dogs have been being trained to help in police investigations. The role that a well-trained K-9 dog plays in an investigation can ultimately make or break a case. After years of careful training and program development, we can now see the effect of K-9 units all over. K-9 decals can be seen on several police vehicles, and entire divisions are devoted to the training and handling of these dogs. In this blog post, we’ll examine the growth and branding of the K-9 units of the police force.

The Mighty K-9

The journey of the official K-9 division stems all the way back to 19th century England, where dogs were used to try and track down Jack the Ripper. From there, german shepherds and other breeds of working and hound dogs were frequently introduced into drug busts and missing persons cases. While these dogs may not have any weapons, they are still provided with a swearing-in ceremony and honorable police badges.

K-9 Outfitting

Even though the first instance of police apparel came about in 1829, it took up until the 1940s for dogs to get their own garb. Today, several pieces of equipment are worn by police dogs, including a vest with identifying patches, bulletproof vests, and even cameras in some instances. Quick identification is crucial when handling a police dog. Without visible indicators, civilians may assume a K-9 worker isn’t on duty and pet it. This kind of interference can jeopardize an investigation, so most K-9 dogs are outfitted with obvious law enforcement patches and velcro police patches.

K-9 Vehicle Modifications

Whenever you read one of the “K-9 police vehicle” decals on a police car, they are not simply put on regular police cars with dogs in them. K-9 police cars need to be outfitted with crates and ample air conditioning in the back of the vehicle to keep the dog safe, comfortable, and fit to work. K-9 cars have special storage areas for everything the dog may need, and K-9 officers sometimes even have specialty decals on their personal cars indicating the dog on board.

Without a doubt, K-9 units are a huge part of any local police department. In order to keep these dogs safe and doing their very best in the line of duty, officers outfit everything in the K-9 sphere with certain decals and badges. K-9 units also draw a lot of positive attention to local law enforcement, with exciting demonstrations often being held for the public. If you are looking into expanding your K-9 unit, or simply want to give your existing unit a bit of branding, give us a call today!