Photo provided Columbus Police Department officers who are military veterans will receive a uniform pin noting their branch of service.
Columbus Police Department military veterans will receive customized service pins noting their military service to wear on their uniform while on patrol.
The pins are scheduled to arrive later this month, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman. The announcement was made on Veterans Day.
The pins will display the branch of military service where the officers served, Harris said.
This new initiative was proposed by a CPD officer after attending a law enforcement conference in Tennessee earlier in the year. During the conference, the CPD officer spoke with a law enforcement officer from Ohio who mentioned that their department issues pins to officers who are veterans to recognize their service and to assist with crisis calls for service involving veterans, Harris said.
“We are proud that 35% of our CPD officers are military veterans or are currently serving in our nation’s armed forces,” said Columbus Police Chief Michael Richardson. “These officers possess courage and discipline that they continue to utilize in their careers in law enforcement. We want to recognize their hard work and service to our country by issuing them service pins to wear proudly on their CPD uniform.”
CPD officials believe the pins also may help officers working on the department’s Crisis Intervention Team during calls that might involve a veteran. Harris said some veterans may feel more comfortable speaking to an officer who also served in the military and that connection could serve to build a bridge and rapport to those needing help.
