by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Sartell police officers will soon be sporting new and unique badges on their uniforms.
The department also has a new mission statement.
At the April 27 city-council meeting, Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes updated members about the changes, saying a new badge look and a new mission statement were long overdue.
The current badge, he noted, is a “generic” one that has been in use since the police department was founded 55 years ago, in 1960. Hughes said he and his staff decided Sartell badges should be unique and have their own personal look.
The current badge says on top “Patrol Officer” then “Sartell Police” and “MN.”
Hughes checked companies on the Internet that make police badges, then he checked various badges at departments throughout the nation. He finally found a company and a badge style he and his officers like as unique to Sartell. The company, Symbol Arts, guarantees the badge they make for a city will be unique for that city and no place else.
The badge, which is wider than the current one, will sport an eagle and a flag. On the top it will say “Officer” or in other cases, “Sergeant” or “Investigator.” The words “Protect and Serve” will be featured on the badge as well as a “thin blue line” that is a symbol of police work, a separation of the blue line separating bad from good – the good that police officers stand for.
Each badge will cost $85, and all will be purchased with forfeiture funds by the police department. The company agreed to waive a $500 molding fee for the badges. It will take up to 10 weeks to manufacture the badges.
The staff at the police department voted on three versions of a new mission statement. This is the winner, which will be displayed on a plaque at the police station:
“Our mission is to provide our community with a professional, progressive, community-oriented police department and to enforce the law, preserve the peace, reduce fear and provide for a safe environment for our community.”
Council members told Hughes they are pleased and proud of the changes.
