LIHU‘E — It was Kaua‘i Police Assistant Chief Roy Asher’s idea to mark the beginning of Chief Darryl Perry’s tenure with new badges for all officers. With the use of funds collected from drug dealers and others arrested for crimes,
LIHU‘E — It was Kaua‘i Police Assistant Chief Roy Asher’s idea to mark the beginning of Chief Darryl Perry’s tenure with new badges for all officers.
With the use of funds collected from drug dealers and others arrested for crimes, called forfeiture funds, the badges were designed and ordered. Officers received the badges last week.
County Police Commission members will also be getting new badges, Perry said.
The new design features the county seal and anti-counterfeiting features, according to a county press release and information from Perry.
“Our badge is so unique that the public can easily distinguish it from a fraud,” said Perry.
The process of getting the new badges, from design to distribution, took almost two years, said Perry.
Silver badges are worn by patrol officers, and gold badges by sergeants and those of higher ranks.
This is the first time the shield has been changed in decades, the release states.
The design also merges the American bald eagle from the previous shield with KPD’s mission statement, the Kaua‘i County seal and the aloha spirit as defined by state law.
“It is an exclusive blending of the past, present and future, while embracing the connection of our diverse heritage,” said Perry.
A one-of-a-kind security feature is imbedded within the county seal that changes color when exposed to light, which prevents counterfeits from being made, he said.
