Henry County Police Department

The Henry County Police badges feature individual officer numbers and the applied numbers were falling out of the badge. Structurally, their current badge did not have a large enough pad to solder the numbers to the badge. We explained to them that by increasing the size of a pad, this structural enhancement would provide a larger surface area to solder the numbers to the badge. Better surface area for soldering would prevent the numbers from falling out without changing the look of their badge. 

A second engineering change to the badge was adding an improved pin so their badges would not fall off their uniforms. Keeping their badge on their uniform would greatly improve the functionality. Plus, we manufacture our badges to sit comfortably and securely on the uniform, not just for function, but also for symbolic reasons.

As we discussed these engineering improvements, we also discussed everything they loved about their badge so that we could protect those features in the redevelopment. What they shared with us was that they loved the badge shape, the filigree element along the edge of their shield, and the memorial tribute to their fallen officers on the back of their badge. They wanted to retain the Georgia state seal and the same placement of panels on their badge. 

Due to the way their current badge was modeled and polished, much of the detail they loved was lost. Part of our process when moving from a design concept into manufacturing is to adjust the design to account for anything, like polishing and plating, that affects the design. This is an important step to make sure the finished product looks like the approved design. 

Our badge redevelopment proposal respected their cherished badge elements, but we also included an explanation of how we would enhance them. 

• We offered the same shape badge that was a smaller size with a more sculptural filigree along the edge of their badge. They asked if we could add antiquing to the filagree to make it more 3D! 
• We proposed a new back die with the names of their fallen officers, but explained that if we added some texture through a stippling technique, the names would be more legible and there would be consistency in the finish on the back of their badges. 
• We suggested a fix to the Georgia state seal as well. There are meaningful words on the state seal, but their current badge lost that rich detail in their manufacturing process. 
• The final proposed change was to flatten the curvature of the bottom panel primarily to provide more engraving space for longer rank titles. The altered curve also would frame the badge in better alignment with the top panel.

None of these proposed changes altered the overall look of their badge. In the course of explaining engineering solutions, we drew upon our badge design experience to propose enhancing the design while keeping their brand entirely recognizable.

Henry County Police Department has distributed their new, and yet very familiar, badge! We were also delighted to learn that their department has a new logo featuring their badge as a focal point. Henry County Police Department hosted a design contest for a new logo. Congratulations to their talented student designer and the Henry County Police Department on their new logo and newly redeveloped badge. At Smith & Warren, we proudly partner with Henry County as their badge manufacturer.

If your department is struggling with a particular functionality issue with your badges, let us take a look. We are here to help with the design, manufacturing, and delivery of your badges. Our badge experts are ready to troubleshoot your badge problems and provide guidance on the best solution.