Q: What types of badges are available?

A: Metal badges for Police, Fire, Security and Emergency Services are our specialty, but The Badge Company of New Jersey makes virtually any kind of badge you can imagine – name badges for customer service personnel, security and identification badges for employees and visitors, even the ubiquitous beach badges used by oceanfront towns, lakefront communities, and public swimming pools.

Q: Who can buy a badge?

A: As you might guess, the purchase of Police, Fire, Security and EMS badges and identification products is limited to the appropriate government agencies, bona-fide members of those agencies, and to firms doing legitimate business with those agencies. There are exceptions, of course – there are procedures by which theatrical producers can buy prop badges for film and stage use, for example. And there are limitations – badges for Federal agencies may be purchased only by the agency itself, or with specific written authorization from the agency. For private-sector badges such as corporate ID badges or employee name badges, sale is generally limited to the entity represented by the badge.

Q: How long will it take to get my badge?

A: For Police, Fire, Security and EMS badges, please allow four weeks from receipt of your order. Certain badge styles may take slightly longer, and some selected styles are available on a “quick-ship” program, but for most orders please allow four weeks. For private-sector badges, the delivery time is dependent on the type of badge, so please ask for the lead time for the specific product that is of interest to you.

Q: Why do law enforcement badges take several weeks to produce?

A: Except for stock, generic badges, every badge is custom-made to your order. Today we utilize a great deal of automation and precision CNC machining, but badge production remains very much a by-hand process. There are more than two dozen individual steps in the production of a police badge, and there are literally thousands of badges in the production pipeline at any given point.

Q: Does it matter how many badges I order?

A: No, we are happy to process your badge order whether it is for one badge or for many badges.

Q: Where can I find a price list?

A: Because there are more than 5000 possible combinations of badge styles, features, and finishes, we do not yet have a price list online. But we will happily provide a written quote for your specific needs, and we can send this quote to you via e-mail, fax, or postal mail. Badges are our speciality, so we understand the many variables such as finish (nickel, rhodium, gold et al), center seal (one-color, multi-color, with border, without border et al), enamel (color and type) as well as other options such as extra panels or tabs.

Q: My local uniform supplier sells badges, too. Why should I buy from The Badge Company of New Jersey?

A: Your local uniform supplier specializes in uniforms, and they’re good at it. But they do not specialize in badges and they do not know all the variations and nuances of badge design and production, and they do not maintain a database of your agency’s badges like we do. We do not know how to measure a pair of trousers, but “Your Badge Is Our Specialty.”

Q: Can I get other manufacturers’ badges from The Badge Company of New Jersey?

A: Yes. In addition to offering our exclusive badge designs, we are direct distributors for the full line of badges from Smith & Warren, V.H Blackinton, and others. So, as it says on our brochure, “We’ve Got Your Badge.”

Q: Are all products US-made?

A: Nearly every item sold by The Badge Company of New Jersey is made in the United States. But for certain items – custom lapel pins, for example – we work with overseas manufacturers of proven quality.

Q: What other products are available?

A: While Public Safety badges are our specialty, The Badge Company of New Jersey also provides a full range of products used by public service agencies and personnel, from crime scene barricade tape to Kevlar search gloves to tactical flashlights and more. Badge products for industry and organizations are offered as well, including private-sector name badges, ID holders, and related items.

Q: I need a custom item not shown in anyone’s catalog. Can you make it?

A: In many instances, yes. We have access to design and manufacturing capabilities for a broad range of custom items comparable to our regular production items. If you need custom badges, commemorative items, or custom leather, we can likely do it for you.

Q: What determines whether a badge is silver or gold?

A: You do! Virtually every badge is available in a variety of finishes, including two-tone, and we have a broad array of center seals available, including all 50 states. In addition, several different enamel colors are available for the lettering, including blue, black, and red.

Q: What are the different rear attachments for a badge?

A: The most common rear attachment is the pin & safety, which is used on badges worn on uniforms and is also best suited for badges that are to be placed in a belt clip holder. The next most common is the wallet clip, which is used on badges that are to be placed in a credential case or badge wallet. The wallet clip, by the way, should not be used to put the badge on your belt, as that will eventually break the wallet clip. There are several other rear attachments available, including screw posts for hat badges and even custom attachments for such purposes as mounting a badge on an award plaque.

Q: How should I best clean and care for my badge?

A: To preserve the beauty and luster of your badge, wash it occasionally with a mild soap and warm water. Then, dry with a clean, soft cloth. Do not use strong detergents or solvents, and do not scrub your badge with a brush or use an abrasive cleaner or polish, as this will damage the surface of the badge.

Q: What should we do with our old badges?

A: If your agency has old badges for which there is no longer any purpose, they can be returned to us for supervised metal recycling. If you agency has old badges that need replacement with new badges of the same design and engraving, they can be returned to us for a “trade-in allowance” toward the new badges. For details, click here.

Q: What is the warranty on badges?

A: All law enforcement badges supplied by The Badge Company of New Jersey carry our “Forever Warranty.” For complete warranty details, click here.