NYPD Gaelic Football Club

CHRONOLOGY OF PATROLMAN'S SHIELD

The Star. This was the first badge of the New York City Police Department. It was made of brass and worn between 1845 and 1857. The star was worn over the left side of the policeman's coat and was his only badge of office, since he wore no uniform. Metropolitan Police (1857-1870). This was a white metal shield, adopted by the Metropolitan Police District and used by all the department in the system. The shield has no distinct identification representing the city. It took a special act of the Legislature in 1857 to supplant the abolished Municipal Police and establish the Metropolitan Police in that year. Municipal Police (1870-1875). These white metal shields with copper numbers proved most unpopular and were recalled in 1875.

Municipal Police (1875-1889). A white metal design adopted to replace the previous "acorn" badge. 1889-1898. The commonly called Potsey due to it's resembling a folded tin can that the city children would use as a tossing implement in a popular sidewalk game of the same name. 1898-1902. This was the first shield of the Police Department of the City of New York after it's consolidation in 1898.

1902 to present day. Our modern shield is made of nickel silver. It is first die-struck in a drop hammer which gives it impression and then is pounded until the desired height of the characters is reached. The perimeter is then blanked and embossed and the numbers and lugs are hard soldered. The badge is then dipped, cleaned, nickel-plated and polished to a high gloss.

**THE ABOVE WAS TAKEN FROM THE NYC WEBSITE**

KEEPING THE HERITAGE ALIVE


The Star. This was the first badge of the New York City Police Department. It was made of brass and worn between 1845 and 1857. The star was worn over the left side of the policeman's coat and was his only badge of office, since he wore no uniform.	Metropolitan Police (1857-1870). This was a white metal shield, adopted by the Metropolitan Police District and used by all the department in the system. The shield has no distinct identification representing the city. It took a special act of the Legislature in 1857 to supplant the abolished Municipal Police and establish the Metropolitan Police in that year.	Municipal Police (1870-1875). These white metal shields with copper numbers proved most unpopular and were recalled in 1875.

Municipal Police (1875-1889). A white metal design adopted to replace the previous "acorn" badge.	1889-1898. The commonly called Potsey due to it's resembling a folded tin can that the city children would use as a tossing implement in a popular sidewalk game of the same name.	1898-1902. This was the first shield of the Police Department of the City of New York after it's consolidation in 1898.

1902 to present day. Our modern shield is made of nickel silver. It is first die-struck in a drop hammer which gives it impression and then is pounded until the desired height of the characters is reached. The perimeter is then blanked and embossed and the numbers and lugs are hard soldered. The badge is then dipped, cleaned, nickel-plated and polished to a high gloss.