Badge questions

I know that there are a lot of different kinds of badges to choose from in this profession... but, is there one style that more BEA's use than others? I notice a lot of the bail enforcement shirts (polo's, T's, Sweats, etc.) have a "star" in a circle with an eagle on it. Is this one that most BEA's use or no?

Mr. Fett,

Obviously you are new to this industry. So please allow me to give you some shortcuts. All of your "Rookie" questions have been asked and answered on this forum numerous times. Questions on BEA attire, gear, weapons, ammo, lethal vs non-lethal, vehicles, tactics, strategies, dealing with co-signer's, dealing with Leo's, individual state laws, etc etc etc.

If you will simply use the search icon and type in a keyword for your topic of interest then you will find most of the answers you are looking for. Including this topic.

But I will give you my opinion on it anyway. The answer is No, there isn't any one particular badge we all favour. This is because of state laws. In some states merely being in possession of a "leo" style badge is a felony arrest.

Other states have made provision for 1 badge style only; then still other states don't care 1 way or the other. Depending on what state you live in you may be able to custom design your own badge. If you do this DO NOT USE YOUR STATE SEAL ON IT. State seals are copyrighted symbols and are therefore protected by state statutes from unauthorized use, deployment, duplication, etc.

Additionally, most states do not allow the terminology of naming yourself/agency as a state office, US office, or division of Homeland Security. These are typically federal felonies. For example "Alabama Fugitive Task Force"; "U.S. Fugitive Task Force"....etc etc. people are doing it, but if or when they get questioned by a knowledgeable DA, AG, or Federal Judge then they will possibly be facing criminal charges.

The bottom line here is an age old debate that comes up on this forum from time to time: When do we cross the line confusing the public as appearing to be Leo's ? In other words, if John Q Public believes we are cops, based on our attitude, equipment, uniforms, etc then we may indeed inadvertently have committed the crime of "Impersonation".

_________________
River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

Fett21,

Check with your current state and local laws in MO to determine what (if any) badge you can use for bail enforcement, private investigation, etc. If you attempt to travel to other states you will need to research their laws as well. You are governed by a specific state's laws, if you attempt to do any work there, regardless of what state you operate out of. Some states allow badges for "other than LE", some do not.

_________________
Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club

Badges are a great tool, but you have to know the correct time and place to use them. Almost all stupid people won't even bother to read the badge/ID OR listen to what you're saying when you show it to them, and will automatically assume you're the police. I've also seen a few 'FBI' style credentials where no badge is present. Not sure how well those work though.

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Kevin Grandon
Licensed BEA
VA DCJS# 99-189514
Vienna, VA

That is exactly why we always get press saying that BEA's presented themselves as Law Enforcement officers. When I see comments like this I am glad that we are not allowed to have badges of any kind in the state where I reside.

FETT21,


choose your badge how you seem fit , i use a seven-pointed star with my company name on it as well as "agent" and "U.S. FUGITIVE TASK FORCE" with a standard center seal i am a rookie in this industry and have only been doing this type work for 6 years , but i have never had any problem with any department that i have been to with the exception of Chicago,IL which IL doesnt acknowledge bountyhunters at all so check with your company's attorney as i have or check with your local police dept. good luck and stay safe

mindtracker says,
But I will give you my opinion on it anyway. The answer is No, there isn't any one particular badge we all favour. This is because of state laws. In some states merely being in possession of a "leo" style badge is a felony arrest.
Question??? really is not any style badge concidered a "LEO" style badge for that matter......


Just curious

The answer would be yes. Consider yours... Agent... U.S. Fugitive Task Force If that does not look and sound like LEO I am not sure what will. The whole thing sounds like some form of government LEO and may work very well in your locale but in many others it would invite some unwanted attention. It also gets you the attention you may need in your AO but items with names sounding like government could be a cuase of why some report to the media that we represented ourselves as LEO.

James this was not intended as a slam on you or your company just merely an answer to your question on whether or not all badges could be construed as LEO and I answered it using your post to answer the question. You might have great success in your AO with your badge and never had a problem to date but I know that if I tried to use it here where I am or some other places I would be on my way to jail which is what Ruffin was talking about.

My turn!
Why do you need a badge? You can't get charged with anything if you don't possess one.

Next thought to ponder...under the color of law, if the individual that was presented the badge/shield etc believes you to be LEO, you can no longer enter the property, regardless if it is 1st party residence or not. You must possess a search warrant and you won't/can't get one, you are not a LEO.

The same applies to you standing at the door with LEO by your side, he is perceived as being in charge, because he is. That fact that few officers comprehend this concept is immaterial.

An ID card hanging around your neck with your picture on it is all you need to keep a LEO from shooting you after arriving on the scene after all hell has broken loose.

Kevin, you need to sit through the class again. Some of your posts scare the hell out of me, no disrespect intended.

Scott

_________________
R.E. "Scott" MacLean III

"Leaders are like Eagles, you never see them in a flock, but one at a time"

Chesapeake Group Investigations, Inc.
Chesapeake Bail Bonds
877-574-0500
301-392-1100 (fax)
301-392-1900 (Office)

Excellent points Bob and Scott.

1 other old addage: "If you look like a duck, act like a duck, walk like a duck, and make noise like a duck then you must be a duck !"

Get the idea ?

All you really need for this job is regular street clothes, required paperwork ( Licenses, bail pieces/warrants), cell phone, computer, reliable transportation, excellent people skills, some basic gear like a quality weapon (where legal), cuffs, taser, chem. sprays, small flashlight, and you're good to go.

When I first started in this business I drove an older model truck that wouldn't run half the time, I worked out of a converted garage, only had a home phone (no cell), and I had to use public computers for my research. The weapon I carried then was borrowed from a friend until I could afford to buy one of my own.

My point here is don't get caught up in all the hype. Uniforms are a bad idea, badges are asking for trouble (I have had to declare myself so many times as not being a Leo), firearms are a walking 24/7 liability/responsibility, etc, etc.

Another acronym comes to mind : KISS = Keep it simple stupid.

_________________
River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601