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What are Awareness Badges and why are they important?
Awareness badges provide a way for public safety departments to support charitable causes and engage with communities.
Published: 02/16/2024
Updated: 10/12/2026
About the Author
Michael Camara
Vice President, Marketing & Brand Strategy, Smith & Warren
Michael Camara is Vice President of Marketing & Brand Strategy at Smith & Warren, the leading U.S. manufacturer of public-safety badges and insignia. His career at the company spans design, creative direction, and marketing, giving him a practical understanding of badge design and the options available to departments and authorized dealers.
In Smith & Warren’s Learning Center, Michael writes about badge design, heraldry, and the meaning behind badges and insignia, helping readers make informed decisions about the symbols that represent their departments and professional identities.