The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known as “the county badge ordinance.” (Ord. 7753 § 3, 1960.)

The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules and regulations covering the authorization, manufacture and use of badges, cap-pieces, lapel insignia, identification cards and seals for the county of Los Angeles. (Ord. 7753 § 1, 1960.)

A. “Badge” means and shall be understood to include “lapel insignia,” “cap-piece,” “seal” and “identification card” where applicable.
B. “Department head” shall be synonymous with the phrase “appointing officer,” “board,” or “commission.”
C. Gender. The masculine gender includes the feminine.
D. “Official badge” means a badge of the size, type and design approved by the board of supervisors.
E. “Section” means a section of the ordinance codified in this chapter unless some other statute is specifically mentioned.
F. Shall and May. “Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.
G. Tense. The present tense includes the past and future tenses; and the future, the present. (Ord. 7753 § 11, 1960.)

Two types of badges are to be issued and have official status: The badges of:
A. The sheriff and his deputies; and
B. Uniform departmental badge to be used by employees of county departments enforcing laws relating to the functions of their respective departments. (Ord. 7753 § 5, 1960.)

The board of supervisors shall by order determine the positions for which badges, cap-pieces and lapel insignia may be issued and the titles to appear thereon, except that the chief administrative officer may authorize badges, cap-pieces and lapel insignia and determine the title to appear thereon for positions in the classified service of the county or any other public entity which is governed ex officio by the board of supervisors. Such authorizations shall have the same force and effect as if they were amendments to the ordinance codified in this chapter. The actual issuance of badges shall be discretionary with department heads. (Ord. 11415 § 2, 1976: Ord. 8881 § 3, 1965: Ord. 7753 § 50, 1960.)

A. The chief administrative officer will consider applications for new badges, additional badges, change of design, and any other matters concerning the administration of this chapter.
B. The decisions of the chief administrative officer shall take the form of recommendations to the board of supervisors, who may act upon such recommendations in order to amend the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 11415 § 1, 1976: Ord. 8881 § 1, 1965; Ord. 7753 § 13, 1960.)

Whenever a power is granted to, or duty is imposed upon a public officer, the power may be exercised or the duty may be performed by a deputy of the officer or by a person authorized, pursuant to law, by the officer, unless the provisions of Ordinance 4099 expressly provide otherwise. (Ord. 7753 § 9, 1960.)

A. It is the intent of the ordinance codified in this chapter that existing badges be replaced by the uniform departmental badge excepting where specific exemptions have been made elsewhere in this chapter as the purchase of new badges becomes necessary.
B. Badges duly authorized as official badges in conformity with the provisions of Ordinance 1389 entitled “An ordinance providing for badges,” adopted April 5, 1926, or the provisions of Ordinance 5368 entitled “An ordinance providing for County badges and repealing Ordinance No. 1389,” adopted July 26, 1949, or any other ordinance providing for county badges at the time such badges were issued, will continue to be so recognized until their ultimate replacement by the uniform badge.
C. The adoption of a County Seal or change therein shall not prohibit the continued use of those other badges lawfully in use by employees of the various departments as of the effective date of such adoption or change. (Ord. 7753 § 7, 1960.)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter and Ordinance 7753, no person issued a county badge prior to April 8, 1980, the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section, may lawfully retain or use such badge unless, on or after April 8, 1980, such retention and use is authorized by the chief administrative officer. Retention and use of prior badges shall be restricted to persons meeting one or more of the following criteria:
A. County officers and employees who are required to wear a uniform and whose duties include the enforcement of penal statutes and ordinances a substantial portion of the time, or sheriffs personnel as designated by the sheriff and approved by the chief administrative officer;
B. County officers and employees who are peace officers pursuant to the provisions of Sections 830 et seq. of the California Penal Code;
C. Retired county officers and employees who, prior to April 8, 1980, were in lawful possession of a retired badge;
D. Former members of the grand jury. (Ord. 12122 § 1 (part), 1980: Ord. 7753 § 1001, 1960.)

Upon the written request of a department head, the chief administrative officer may authorize the retention of old or obsolete badges as keepsakes. Each badge shall be permanently encased in block lucite, or other similar material, in such fashion to render the badge unusable for active service. The cost of encasement and other associated costs as determined by the chief administrative officer shall not be a cost to the county, and shall be paid by the officer or by such other person or organization identified by the department head in his or her written request. The chief administrative officer may require the payment of estimated costs in advance. (Ord. 2003-0042 § 1, 2003.)

A. The uniform departmental badge shall consist of a shield, surmounted by a bear, and shall be of gold-colored metal unless otherwise specified. The seal of the county of Los Angeles shall be superimposed on the center thereof unless otherwise specified. The words “County of Los Angeles” shall appear on a ribbon at the top of the badge just under the bear unless their omission is specifically provided in this chapter. Ribbons indicating the name of the department shall appear just above the seal of the county. The title of the position of the person authorized to wear such official badge shall be inscribed on a ribbon placed just below the seal of the county and the serial number of the badge shall appear at the bottom of the badge below the title of the position. The words “Deputy Sheriff” and “Retired” may also appear on the face of badges issued to employees or retired employees authorized by the sheriff and board of supervisors to carry such badges. The said badges shall not bear upon the face or reverse thereof any words or numbers other than as herein prescribed, except that each said badge may bear on the reverse thereof a stamped or embossed serial number, or in the case of retired badges the name and dates of service of the person to whom it is issued on a plate to be affixed to the back of said badges.
B. A diagram of the official badges, cap-pieces and lapel insignia herein designated and prescribed shall be filed and retained in the office of the purchasing agent of the county or Los Angeles, and each and every official badge issued as provided in this chapter shall be an exact reproduction except as to the plate indicating the serial number thereon. (Ord. 8881 § 2, 1965; Ord. 7753 § 15, 1960.)

The district attorney investigator’s badge shall consist of a star centered on an oval shield. The star shall have six points and the seal of the District Attorney, County of Los Angeles, shall be superimposed on the center of the star. The shield shall have a design consisting of emanating sunrays bordered on the top and bottom by representations of a fasces. The star shall be of a gold-colored metal and the shield shall be silver-colored metal. The title of the position of the person authorized to wear such official badge shall appear in blue, uppercase block letters on a gold ribbon at the top of the badge, above the star. The words “District Attorney” shall appear on a gold ribbon placed just below the star. The words “Bureau of Investigation” shall appear on a gold ribbon placed just below “District Attorney.” The serial number of the badge shall appear on a gold ribbon at the bottom of the badge just below “Bureau of Investigation.” With the approval of the chief of the District Attorney Bureau of Investigation, the word “Retired” may also appear on the face of the badge on a gold ribbon placed under the title of the final position of the retiring employee. The said badge shall not bear upon the face or reverse thereof any words or numbers other than as prescribed herein, unless otherwise specified in this chapter, except that retired badges may bear on the reverse thereof the name and dates of service of the retired employee to whom it is issued. The provisions of section 5.64.100B shall also apply to badges issued under this section. (Ord. 2002-0048 § 1, 2002.)

Any official cap-piece hereinafter described may be worn by uniformed county employees, except as stated elsewhere in this chapter. Unless otherwise authorized herein, it shall consist of a partial replica of the basic departmental badge, the seal of the county to be in center, surmounted by a bear and a ribbon bearing the name of the department just below the bear. Any other cap-piece designated as official before March 16, 1960, the effective date of the ordinance codified herein, shall be deemed official until replaced by the cap-piece described above. (Ord. 7753 § 17, 1960.)

The official uniform departmental badge, cap-piece, identification card and lapel insignia provided for in this chapter shall be issued by the department head after oath or affirmation of allegiance for civil defense workers and public employees has been taken. (Ord. 7753 § 19, 1960.)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Ordinance 7753 and this chapter, no badge may be issued except by order of the chief administrative officer. A county badge may be issued to and possessed by only those persons who meet one or more of the following criteria:
A. County officers and employees who are required to wear a uniform and whose duties include the enforcement of penal statutes and ordinances a substantial portion of the time, or sheriff’s personnel as designated by the sheriff and approved by the chief administrative officer;
B. County officers and employees who are peace officers pursuant to the provisions of Sections 830 et seq. of the California Penal Code;
C. County personnel holding the following positions:
--Public defender investigators,
--Building inspectors,
--Animal control inspectors,
--Agricultural inspectors,
--Deputy fish and game warden,
--Weights and measures inspectors,
--Warrant investigators,
--Treasurer-Tax collector investigators,
--County counsel investigators,
--Deputy district attorneys,
--Deputy public administrators/Guardians,
--Superior court clerks,
--Ambulance medical technicians,
--Ambulance drivers;
D. Persons designated by the director of health services and approved by the chief administrative officer who are assigned to perform public health investigations, health facilities investigations, environmental health work, hazardous materials management work, or radiation protection work as a member of an environmental health unit;
E. Persons who retire from a position described in subsections A or B of this section. (Ord. 91-0044 § 6, 1991; Ord. 12294 § 1, 1980; Ord. 12237 § 1, 1980; Ord. 12236 § 1, 1980: Ord. 12122 § 1 (part), 1980: Ord. 7753 § 1005, 1960.)

A. The chief administrative officer may issue a commemorative badge to mark the 150th year of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for use as an official badge by the sheriff and deputies of the sheriff’s office during the calendar year 2000. The commemorative badge shall be issued in the design approved by the sheriff. Commemorative badges issued to deputies of the sheriff’s office shall bear the title “Deputy Sheriff.”
B. At the conclusion of the year 2001, all commemorative badges issued under this section shall be returned to the chief administrative officer for encasement as a keepsake in block lucite, or other similar material, in such fashion as to render the badge unusable for active service.
C. The issuance of a commemorative badge is optional. The sheriff and each deputy requesting issuance of a commemorative badge shall deposit with the county auditor-controller an amount sufficient, as determined by the county auditor-controller, to reimburse the county its costs for manufacture and encasement of the badge. Deposits are nonrefundable. Commemorative badges issued under this section shall remain the property of the county of Los Angeles and subject to its exclusive control until encasement is completed, at which time the commemorative badge shall become the personal property of the person to whom the badge was originally issued.
D. Any person issued a commemorative badge under this section shall, upon issuance of such badge, tender his or her existing official badge to the sheriff’s office. At the conclusion of the calendar year 2001, the prior badge shall be reissued to those authorized. (Ord. 2000-0059 § 1, 2000: Ord. 99-0079 § 1, 1999.)

No badge, cap-piece, identification card or lapel insignia shall be issued to or be used, worn or carried by any person unless his duties involve the active enforcement of law or unless he performs other public duties which in the judgment of the board of supervisors are such as to require that he do so for purposes of identification. (Ord. 7753 § 21, 1960.)

A. Where a position or class is specified within a department in this chapter it shall be understood that the number of badges authorized for this position or class in this department is identical to the number of such positions legally established for that department, except as provided elsewhere. There shall not be issued and outstanding at any one time more than the number of badges authorized plus 10 percent, or 100 badges for each department, whichever additional quantity may be the least.
B. Wheresoever cap-pieces are provided in this chapter, there shall not be issued and outstanding at any one time more cap-pieces for any department than there are badges authorized for that department, except as otherwise noted. (Ord. 7753 § 23, 1960.)

Department heads shall be responsible for and at all times shall keep a record of all badges issued, which records shall show among other things: The name of the person to whom the badge was issued, the date of the issuance, the number of the badge, the maximum number of badges which may be issued, all badges which are thereafter returned, and the number of badges lost, stolen or misplaced, and any other information deemed necessary to keep a accurate account of the distribution and control of badges. (Ord. 7753 § 25, 1960.)

The department head may grant written permission to a person who has been issued a badge or cap-piece under the terms of this chapter to permit the loan of such badge or cap-piece when such loan is deemed to be in the public interest and is to be used for educational or public information purposes. Such loans shall be made only upon conditions agreed to by the department head and the employee involved. (Ord. 7753 § 31, 1960.)

A. All official badges shall remain the property of the county of Los Angeles and shall at no time become the personal property of any individual except as provided for elsewhere in this chapter. When any person severs his connection with the department or retires it shall be his duty to return his official badge to his department head.
B. Upon the return and surrender of any official badge, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, by the person to whom it was issued or by his duly authorized agent, the department head shall give to such person a statement in writing, showing that such person has returned his official badge. (Ord. 7753 § 29, 1960.)

A. If any officer or employee loses an official badge which has been issued to him or her as herein provided, that person shall immediately file a police report and shall submit a copy of that report to the department head or, if that person is not appointed by a department head, to the chief administrative officer. The department head or chief administrative officer shall issue to such person another official badge only upon submission of the police report and obtaining an affidavit, or declaration signed by such person under penalty of perjury, stating that such official badge has been lost and cannot be found.
B. Every officer and employee to whom a badge is issued pursuant to this chapter, except a member of the grand jury, shall agree, in writing, that he or she will return such badge to his or her department head or to the chief administrative officer upon the termination of his or her employment or other status upon which his or her right to retain such badge is based. Such officer or employee shall further agree, in writing, to pay for the replacement of such badge if it is not so returned or if it is lost, damaged or destroyed because of his or her negligence. Such officer or employee shall pay for the replacement of such a badge not returned or so lost, damaged or destroyed. A member of the grand jury may retain for all times the badge issued to him or her.
C. An official badge which is stolen or believed to be stolen is considered lost. (Ord. 2002-0032 § 1, 2002: Ord. 7891 § 1, 1960; Ord. 7753 § 27, 1960.)

A. No department of the county government shall use a design or insignia for an official badge of the department similar to the official badge used by officers and deputies of the sheriff’s office.
B. Any badge provided for in this chapter which bears the title “Deputy Sheriff” shall be issued only to persons duly sworn to act as such and, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the sheriff shall be the department head in matters relating to the issuance and control of such badges.
C. In addition, the sheriff, pursuant to Ordinance 5860, shall issue badges to private patrols licensed by the county. (Ord. 7753 § 35, 1960.)

The sheriff shall issue badges to duly licensed private patrolmen. All of the provisions of this chapter concerning issuance, possession, display, manufacture, disposal and return of badges apply to such badges. (Ord. 7753 § 261, 1960.)

The number of badges to be issued shall be equal to 1.1 of the number of private patrolman licenses issued pursuant to County Ordinance 5860. (Ord. 8851 § 1, 1965: Ord. 7753 § 262, 1960.)

The badge of a private patrolman shall be metal, silver-colored, shield-type badge, with the words “County of Los Angeles” in two lines across the upper face of the badge, with the figure of a bear delineated in the center thereof, and the words “Private Patrolman” in two lines across the lower face of the badge and under the figure of the bear. Nothing else shall appear on the face of the badge except that a serial number may be imprinted at the lower point of the badge. (Ord. 8072 § 1 (part), 1961: Ord. 7753 § 263, 1960.)

Cap-pieces shall also be issued to private patrolmen, and shall consist of a silver-colored triangular plate to be affixed at the front of the cap worn by such patrolmen and having the words “Private Patrolman” thereon. Issuance and control of such cap-pieces shall be subject to regulations governing cap-pieces as set forth in this charter. (Ord. 8072 § 1 (part), 1961: Ord. 7753 § 264, 1960.)

A. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any person who has been a duly and regularly appointed, commissioned, or elected official, officer or employee and who, prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified herein was honorably retired from such position, may carry such badge lawfully issued to him incident to his retirement if the word “Retired” is plainly shown on such badge by being engraved, embossed, or otherwise permanently affixed thereto.
B. Any person who, prior to the effective date of this chapter, lawfully acquired any honorary badge or other badge indicating that the bearer occupied public office in this county, upon which badge appears the word “Retired,” may retain such badge.
C. Any regularly appointed or elected officer or employee who is authorized to have a badge issued to him and who, subsequent to the effective date of the ordinance codified herein is honorably retired, may possess and carry an official badge which has the word “Retired” plainly shown on such badge. Such badge may be issued to him at county expense.
D. Any duly sworn reserve deputy sheriff who has for 10 consecutive years actively and honorably served the county of Los Angeles on a “without compensation” basis, may possess and carry an official reserve badge which has the words “Retired Reserve Deputy” or “Retired Reserve . . . (highest rank held by the individual retiring during his satisfactory tour of duty with the Reserve organization) . . .” plainly shown thereon. Such badge may be issued to him at county expense.
E. There shall be inscribed on the back of every “Retired” badge issued after the effective date of the ordinance codified herein the following information:
1. The name of the person to whom lawfully issued;
2. The date of the entry of such person into county service;
3. The date of the retirement of such person from county service.
F. Nothing in this section authorizes the use of any badge mentioned for any unlawful purpose. The county may confiscate any such badge so used. (Ord. 8041 § 1 (a) and (b), 1961: Ord. 7753 § 37, 1960.)

A. Any person who retires during the calendar year 1967 from the position of county counsel shall be issued at county expense a retired badge. Such badge shall have on the face thereof the words “County Counsel Emeritus.” On the back of the badge shall appear:
1. The name of the person to whom the badge is issued;
2. The date of the entry of such person into county service;
3. The date of the retirement of such person from county service.
B. In all other respects the badge shall comply with the provisions of Section 5.64.100 of this chapter. (Ord. 9459 § 1, 1968: Ord. 7753 § 38, 1960.)

A. Any person who retires during the calendar year 1969 from the position of forester and fire warden shall be issued at county expense a retired badge. Such badge shall have on the face thereof the words “Forester and Fire Warden Emeritus.”
B. On the back of the badge shall appear:
1. The name of the person to whom the badge is issued;
2. The date of entry of such person into county service;
3. The date of the retirement of such person from county service.
C. In all other respects the badge shall comply with the provisions of Section 5.64.100 of this chapter. (Ord. 9773 § 1, 1969: Ord. 7753 § 38.1, 1960.)

Not withstanding any other provision of this chapter, and subject to obtaining the prior approval of the State EMS Authority, the director of the department of health services may design, and prescribe rules and policies for the use and wearing of, standard pins and patches which may be affixed on clothing of prehospital care personnel as a means of identifying those persons who are currently certified as emergency medical technicians in Los Angeles County.
No person shall manufacture, make, sell or design any such pin or patch without the prior written authorization of the purchasing agent. (Ord. 89-0165 § 1, 1989.)

No person, firm or corporation shall give away, sell, distribute or otherwise dispose of or expose for sale any badge or seal purporting to be or represented to be a badge or seal for any officer, employee or retired officer or employee for whom an official badge or seal is provided in this chapter, any ordinance of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District relating to badges, or by any resolution of the Air Pollution Control District or of any fire protection district in this county relating to badges to any person, firm or corporation, except the purchasing agent of the county of Los Angeles or other person duly authorized by the purchasing agent to obtain the official badge or seals for this county, the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, the Air Pollution Control District, or for any fire protection district of this county. (Ord. 7753 § 33, 1960.)

A. A person shall not have in his possession any official badge of the county, Los Angeles County Flood Control District, Air Pollution Control District, or Fire Protection District within the county which has not been issued to him according to the provisions of the applicable ordinance or resolution. A person shall not possess any such badge after his right to wear such badge has been terminated.
B. A person not regularly appointed and qualified to act as an officer or employee for whom a badge is provided by this chapter or by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District Ordinance or by resolutions of the Air Pollution Control District or the County Fire Protection District within this county, shall not possess, wear or display or in any manner use such badge or any imitation thereof except as provided in such ordinance or resolution.
C. A person regularly appointed and qualified to act as an officer or employee or retired officer or employee for whom an official badge is provided in such ordinance or resolution shall not wear or in any manner use or display, as the official badge or seal of his office or employment, any badge or insignia other than the official badge or insignia as prescribed in such ordinance or resolution and obtained in the manner provided in such ordinance or resolution. (Ord. 7753 § 39, 1960.)

Any badge mentioned in this chapter shall be subject to confiscation if worn or displayed by any person other than the true holder, and shall be returned to such true holder only upon his showing that such use was without his consent, express or implied. (Ord. 7753 § 41, 1960.)

A. No person shall manufacture, make, sell, design or transfer any official departmental badge, deputy sheriff badge or any other official badge of the Flood Control District, Fire Protection District or Air Pollution Control District without the written authorization of the purchasing agent. Such person may manufacture and deliver only the number of badges authorized by the Purchasing Agent.
B. The dies of the uniform departmental badge and all other official badges shall remain at all times in the possession of and under the control of the purchasing agent. The purchasing agent shall from time to time let contracts for the stamping and inscribing of the official badges. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the manner in which contracts for the purchase of badges for the county shall be let as provided elsewhere in the County Charter or in county ordinances. (Ord. 7753 § 43, 1960.)

A person shall not have in his possession any other badge, star, shield, miniature, ring, charm or insignia, regardless of the size, shape or design thereof, which has on it any inscription, whether used separately, together or in any combination with any word, which is identical in design with or which so resembles an official badge of this county, the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, Air Pollution Control District or any fire protection district within this county that it may be readily mistaken for such an official badge. (Ord. 7753 § 45, 1960.)

Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the issuance of identification cards by any department head or officer of the county. Identification cards shall, if used by a department, be subject to the same regulations as to issuance, possession, display, and loss and return, that govern badges. (Ord. 7753 § 47 (1), 1960.)

Such identification cards shall be enclosed in sealed plastic material, shall be of standard design, and incorporate such information as the photograph of the bearer, a print of his right index finger, his name, title, name of department for whom working, his signature, and any other information that is from time to time deemed necessary, except that identification cards prepared by photographic process may omit the fingerprint of the bearer and need not be enclosed in a sealed plastic case, and identification cards for use within a department for payroll or similar identification purposes may omit the photograph and fingerprint of the bearer and need not be enclosed in a sealed plastic case. (Ord. 7753 § 47 (2), 1960.)

Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25.00 and not more than $100.00, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than 60 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 7753 § 49, 1960.)

Any person violating any of the provisions of Sections 5.64.090 or 5.64.130 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under the provisions of Sections 5.64.090 or 5.64.130 shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both. (Ord. 12122 § 2, 1980.)