The Official Patch of the Lincoln Police Department

Police patches are more than just uniform accessories; they’re symbols of pride, history and community. Over the years, these small yet significant designs have evolved to reflect the unique stories, values, and identities of the departments and cities they represent.


The origin of police patches in the early 20th century marked a pivotal shift in how law enforcement agencies identified their officers and established their authority. At first, these police uniform patches were simple shapes stitched onto sleeves — often bearing a basic city seal, department name or numerical designation. Over time, these early police patches evolved into intricate designs that symbolized a department’s local history, civic pride and dedication to community service.


This current patch is worn by sworn officers on the shoulders of all uniforms. This is the fifth known patch to be worn by Lincoln officers since the department was organized in 1855.

 

  • The patch is the shape of the Route 66 road symbol.
  • This represents the location of Lincoln on the historical Route 66 stretching from Chicago, IL to California.
  • The three red stars represent our officer values of Service, Integrity, and Courage.
  • The white circle represents the departments dedication to the community and city.
  • The middle of the patch depicts a young photo of Abraham Lincoln before he became the 13th President.
  • Our city is the only city officially named in Lincoln’s honor, which he christened with a watermelon.
  • The colors red, white and blue represent our departments pride to our country.


This current patch was adopted in August 2023