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Members of the Pella Police Department have a certain shine to them lately. That’s because earlier this month, the department received new badges for their uniforms. The new badges are silver in color with gold accents, including a Dutch windmill in the center, along with Iowa’s State Seal. The design was a collaborative effort between several members of the department and the company that produced the badges, with the final design approved by Chief Michael Marcinkowski.

Pella Police Lieutenant John VanHaaften says there was a need for new badges because some of the old ones needed replaced, some officers did not have a complete set for their uniforms, and there needed to be continuity in the uniform badges amongst the department.

The new badges were partially funded by forfeiture monies and did not require any money from the City of Pella’s general fund. The forfeiture funds come from the Pella Police Department’s involvement with the South Central Iowa Drug Task Force, with the monies regulated by the government and intended to help departments make purchases that are needed but are not typically included in their operating budgets.

Lieutenant VanHaaften adds that a badge is one of the most important pieces of an officers uniform, and says the new badges give all members of the department – including dispatch, patrol officers and reserves – a sense of pride when in uniform.