DOES WEARING A METAL BADGE POSE A RISK? I THINK BEING AROUND INMATES AND POTENTIAL CRIMINAL PUTS US AS RISK WHEN WEARING METAL BADGES. THEY SHOULD BE SEWN ON . WHAT DO YOU THINK????

I like my metal badge, but I cant stand when I get a faulty clasp and it falls off when I take my seat belt off, and I dont realize till I am out of the car. 

I think if you were working at a jail with inmates I would prefere sewn on ones though, just becuase you could have a nice make shift shank with the metal badge. 

For patrol we wear the 5.11 class B regular duty uniform. Pinned on badge, name plate, etc.

At night we wear the 5.11 TDU's with everything sewn/embroidered.

More so from the standpoint of that you don't need all that reflective stuff when you're trying to creep around. IMHO.

CPD158 says ...

Sew on for anything but Class A. It's safer, more comfortable.

fully agree!  what i dont understand is how they allow C.O's to wear them in the jails and prisons.  not bad mouthing them, i worked corrections for 4 years, but i just dont know why they wear badges in there.  yes i know they already have shanks and things, but why add to their collection of possible weapons?

either way, sewn on is best for everyone, except for the dress uniforms.  our night uniforms are all swen on, but days is all pins.

Depends on the duty assignment:

If I am working the jail or in any type of a prison / detention facility, I would prefer a sewn on or embroidered badge.  If I am wearing a standard class B uniform, the real deal on the uniform shirt is the only choice.  If I am wearing a jacket or a coat, the badge can be sewn on or embroidered because at some point, that jacket is coming off and the real deal will be on the shirt.  Besides, ask anyone that knows me...... I very seldom, if ever wear a jacket or coat.  If I am wearing my TDU's...... the badge is embroidered.  Fortunately, our department allows this uniform.  It is simply more comfortable.  Obviously, the real deal for any dress / Class A or B uniform.

Now i cant actually say one or the other, becuase i have neither. But my whole life all i have ever wanted was a metal badge. Its material, i can take it off and look at it. And think "This is what i worked for.....". I would think that a sewn on one would just kinda cheapin it ya know?

Shiney stuff on a field uniform is rediculus.  Sew ons are safer for target reduction and easier to maintain cleanliness.  Keep all the shiney stuff for the dress uniform or those that are relegated to administrative duties or office bound.  If there is a detail that requires "Palace Guard Duty" then one can use the shiney stuff to impress the public. 

csiguy says ...

Shiney stuff on a field uniform is rediculus.  Sew ons are safer for target reduction and easier to maintain cleanliness.  Keep all the shiney stuff for the dress uniform or those that are relegated to administrative duties or office bound.  If there is a detail that requires "Palace Guard Duty" then one can use the shiney stuff to impress the public. 

You are speaking as if all departments have a "field" uniform and a "dress" uniform. For a lot of departments, the "dress" uniform is no more than wearing a "class A" jacket with the regular patrol uniform.

PETE114 says ...

Both uniforms types have their place in Police work.  Depends on what your purpose is.  There will always be a debate on what should be worn on duty. 

Well said Pete.... My old ancient azz agrees with you 100%. BUT I STILL LIKE A SHINEY BADGE!!!!

I am authorized to wear two different uniforms at my job, one requiring the metal badge (class 3), and the other being BDU's with a sewn on badge (class 4).  I prefer wearing the uniform with my metal badge, as it is much more professional IMHO. I save the BDU's for training and going to the range. 

 We have sewn on's on our outer vest carriers but we still keep our badge on underneath.  The sewn on's are much much better for every day patrol due to the fact that the metal will grab onto stuff, come undone and get inevitably scratched.