Elizabeth Orosco
Michael Bushnell
Northeast News

Astute observers will note that some Kansas City Police Officers will be sporting a different kind of badge for 2019 and it’s all in the name of history.

The Kansas City Police Historical Society designed commemorative badges for 2019 to mark the 145th anniversary of the department.

The new oval-shaped badge features several iconic Kansas City landmarks. The Police Memorial Statue is flanked by the Kauffman Performing Arts Center and Sky Stations of Bartle Hall on the left, and Scout statue on the right. The seal of the State of Missouri and the City logo also adorn the center of the badge.

The bottom of the badge will bear the officer’s serial number as well. The badge bears the year 1874, the year the Metropolitan Police Law passed that established the city’s first Police Department.

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department began April 15, 1874, when the Board of Police Commissioners appointed Thomas M. Speers to fill the office of Chief from April 15, 1874, to May 4, 1895. No chief since that time has held the office as long as Chief Speers.

Sergeant Jacob Becchina, police spokesman with the Kansas City Police Department said the badges are up for purchase and Officers have the option of purchasing and wearing them. He added that community members should be aware that these badges are legitimate KCPD badges.

“Residents may see this badge on one of our uniforms, just like they may still see the old badge because some officers did not buy their own and some officers maybe did buy one but choose not to wear it everyday on patrol because they want to keep it for their trophy case.”

The badges are not mandatory, so residents should be aware of the different badges officers will be wearing for the 2019 calendar year.

Proceeds from badge purchases will benefit the Kansas City Police Historical Society.