A Southwest Missouri police department is sporting new badges.
Lamar Police Chief Rusty Rives says about a week and half ago officers in his department received new badges. Rives says it’s something he’s been working on for the past few months. While it may seem like a small change, Rives says the badges are a symbol of the organization and what it represents.
“We had several different badge styles floating around. We really needed to establish that uniformity to help create a professional image,” says Chief Rusty Rives.
Rives says the old badge was a traditional shield with eagles on it. The new badges are a more modern design, incorporating the American flag.