Discussion»Questions»Legal» What is the appropriate period of time for law enforcement officers to wear bereavement bands on their badges after an on-duty death?
With the vast number of agencies and the equally vast variety of badge designs, there are many that feature the badge number either above or below the section covered by the band. Nice try, but no cigar. Rant averted. ~
So, that's where we are??? You SAY the vast majority of badges DON'T cover the number, so I ask you to show me. Instead, you want me to show you that the vast number ARE covered???? Dude! That's NUTS.. Stick with grammar. It doesn't involve logic..
In addition to having a written policy regarding when a mourning band should be worn, it is also important that each agency has a policy regarding how it should be worn. Some important points of such a policy are:
For round, square and “shield” type badges, the mourning band should be horizontal on the badge and centered half way between the top and bottom.
For star shaped badges, the mourning band should be diagonal, going from right to left, with the high point on the right.
Never allow a mourning band to cover a badge number.
Ex, please peruse the graphic that I included with my question when I originally posted it. There are at least half of the badges that display the badge number.
Secondly, stick to blind dislike (or abject hatred, if that's more accurate) of law enforcement and its personnel. Your original answer was steeped in that dislike or hatred, as opposed to logic.
Black mourning bands shall be worn on a law enforcement badge only in the following circumstances:
Upon the line of duty death of an active law enforcement officer (LEO) in your department. The mourning band should be worn for a period of thirty days from the date of death.
By all LEO in uniform or in civilian clothing while displaying a badge when attending the funeral of an active LEO. Upon the completion of the funeral, the mourning band shall be removed.
Upon the line of duty death of a LEO from a neighboring jurisdiction. The mourning band will be worn from the date of death and removed at the conclusion of the day of burial.
National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th).
The day of any memorial service your agency has honoring your department's LEO's who have died in the line of duty.
At the direction of your sheriff, agency director or chief of police, when special circumstances dictate that a department display of official mourning is appropriate.