The Tale of the Badge...

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There are symbols in this world that are known far and wide and evoke universal thought and emotion. A nations flag, a military uniform, the white lab coat of a doctor are things that you can see across the globe and know what they mean, what they symbolize, and know that to someone, they are sacred. But there is something very special about a small piece of metal that brave men and women pin upon their chest everyday, the small item known as the badge. They come in all sizes, all shapes, and yet, you do not have to read the lettering on it to know what it stands for. The badge's history is as long as man itself it seems, and the feelings each and every person experiences when they see one is both deep and powerful. What truly makes the badge so special, beyond most other symbols, is that we cease to see the wearer of the badge for they are no longer an individual. Instead, they have sworn an oath that the badge represents and they have become a part of a brotherhood and a part of history itself. With that oath, they have promised to shoulder the weight of their own responsibility, the responsibility of their brothers and sisters, and they have centuries of history from every single person who wore that badge before them across the globe that is now a part of their own history. As much as times have changed, as much as the world has changed, in essence, the badge reminds us that very little has changed in one important respect. People still need laws, rule, and order, and people who need help will always turn to those with the badge on their darkest of days to make things better, or at least, make things right. The badge is so symbolically important, that it is a betrayal of the very foundations of trust in society that rocks everyone to their core when someone who wears a badge does not live up to the oath that they swore. Power is a dangerous thing, and that badge must remind each and every one of us who has worn one, who wears one, and the citizens who depend on those who do, that we must all do our best to maintain the purity of that symbol and the trust that is placed upon it.





Out of all the shots I take, day in and day out, there are two that seem to evoke the most response and emotion. The first has always been the fire helmet and axe, which I discussed before, and the other is the badge. Most of my photography is non-artistic, I shoot more of a PJ style to capture the event, tell a story, share what I see as I see it. Yet, having said that, sometimes, the whole story is not in the wide angle, but in the details. Sometimes, a shot of just a badge can truly tell a story beyond anything else.



This is one of my all time favorite pictures, and as a very gifted artist friend of mine, M König is so good at showcasing, simplicity can be so profound.

Probably the first shot of this style that I ever took was the one that taught me the most. It was a single shot of a series taken at an airshow and it wasn't until much later that I saw on screen what I never saw through the camera. It wasn't until I started getting the emails and such about that photo, above all others taken that day, that I realized just how special it was. There are many times a photo will make me go wow and it will be ignored by others, but to have one that was so universally special, made me take notice!



Sometimes it is not just the badge that holds the power, but when it comes to Law Enforcement, the badge and the gun are forever linked together. The symbol and the force of that symbol, tied together much the way a nation and it's military are. To have Peace, one must first have Power, and these five photos capture that point explicitly. The FBI badge in particular has such an old styling to it that has remained unchanged for decades. Oh and yes, that last one IS a fire badge! Even in the fire service, we have Arson Investigators and others who perform a dual role that symbolizes the commitment to preserving Life, Property and Environment that every firefighter takes when he joins the department.




Of course, one of the most famous badges of all time is the LAPD badge. Seen in countless movies and shows, the Centurion style badge has been imitated by many, but nothing comes close to the original. It's image of city hall emblazoned in the center in gold with the scrolls surrounding it makes for one of the most striking images every time I photograph it.

This is one of the first Centurion style badges and maintains the original Policeman designation




The current one has the more politically correct Police Officer title. This badge is worn by an LAPD Motor Officer as you can see from the traffic division LAPD patch and the arrow through the wheel motor officer patch below it



Whether high on the chest, or hanging from the belt, ones eye cannot help but be drawn to the badge and what it symbolizes.



And yes, even the Canine officers get their own individually numbered badge!



The symbol is so much a part of the job, that it isn't just given to people and k9's, but can be found on the vehicles as well! Both OCSD and Huntington Beach PD proudly display their badges on their Helicopters in a dramatic way.






But as I showed in the first picture, It's not just law enforcement! This is a personal favorite of mine simply because it showcases the man, the helmet, and the badge so well. With the sky a brilliant blue behind him, and his chest in shadow, the badge on his chest shines so brightly as he does his job.








Probably one of the most distinctive and different badges I've ever seen has to be that of the Huntington Beach Fire Departments centennial badge. With it's silver Maltese Cross with an Eagle on top, center beach scene, and Red White and Blue colors, it stands out dramatically.



In the end, no matter what the shape, size, department, or job. From Peace Officer, to investigator, from K9 to Firefighter, the badge and its symbolism shall forever be special, and it can truly make for an amazing photograph. Enjoy!