Quote:
Originally Posted by Chief X
Speaking personally as to why I carry my police I.D. (typically not a badge) is for identification purposes. It's common for me when I am in an area for an extended period (vacation, visiting relatives, moving to the Villages) I tend to stop in at the local police department and introduce myself, as I still consider these people as family.
I also offer up my assistance at times, like two mornings ago (3:15 a.m. in NJ) when a car crashed into the telephone pole in front of my home and I assisted the operator and with traffic, while waiting for the duty officer to arrive. Anytime that I see an officer in harms way, I will go out of my way to assist. Having my I.D. readily available can be very important at times.
Do active officers and retired officers carry their badge as a means to hopefully "get a break" if they are stopped? Most certainly. Face it, that's just life. Professional courtesy is not limited to the police. I'm sure that a cardiologist needing open heart surgery, will get a much better deal than I will. I'm sure that a dentist doesn't pay full price for a root canal etc.
I also know that many motorists get breaks everyday. It's those who don't that usually feel that cops and the system aren't fair.
Just my two and a half cents. Carry on.
Chief x
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Agree with Chief on this subject of carrying retired ID or badges.
Law Enforcement is a tight knit family which comes from the fact that many Law Enforcement Officers (LEOS) have many times had to depend on each other to protect themselves and the public when in harms way.
Law Enforcement does not hand out a gold watch or other token of appreciation at retirement. The best they can do is present you with your credentials and or badge with the RETIRED notation on them.
Although a lot of retirees carry them as a sign of pride in their previous career they are also very handy to identify the retiree when he/she will inevitably step in to help a current LEO who may be in need of assistance.