Sequim Police Officers’ badges have read “Sequim” the last 110 years. Now with an updated design released in early 2023, those badges show some of the area’s elements.

New badges feature an elk, representative of the Roosevelt elk herd; the Olympic Mountains; the sunbeams reminiscent of sunny Sequim, and laurel borders alluding to Sequim’s lavender.

In recent weeks, the Sequim Police Department switched to the new-look badges staff designed in a collaborative process over the last three years.

“We wanted to fit as much ‘Sequim’ onto a (4-inch-by-3-inch) badge as we could without being excessive, and it turns out we were able to incorporate a lot,” deputy chief Mike Hill said.

The badges also include officers’ titles, “Sequim, WA” and the year of incorporation.

Sequim was incorporated on Nov. 20, 1913, and during that time, its police officers have had four badges, including one badge only worn in 2013 for the city’s Centennial Celebration.

Police Chief Sheri Crain said the department has had four patches as well, with the three most recent designed by Sequim Police Department employees.

“We’ve been using a generic badge forever with a header spot for ‘Sequim’ and a title,” she said.

“Internally, we’ve been talking awhile about a new badge.”

Sequim’s first police badge simply read, “Sequim City Police” with no logo. The department later switched to one with George Washington’s head reminiscent of the state flag, each officer’s title with the department, “Sequim Police,” and a badge number.

Crain said they later changed from a badge number to “WA” so people wouldn’t have to switch badges if someone moved or retired.

While considering a new badge, Crain said she asked for consensus while showing “who we are and who our community is” with new badges.

Hill said that Sgt. Jeff Thaxton was the main contributor and “came with a vision for the badge and kept the process moving until we were able to complete this project and pin on our new badges.”

Hill noted, “We made several versions, applied different feedback from officers, had surveys for input, and voted on final versions.

“We went back to the drawing board several times until it was exactly how we wanted it. We weren’t going to settle for something ‘good enough’ and worked with the manufacturer back and forth until we developed the final version.”

Symbol Arts, the design company officers worked with, also designed the department’s challenge coin, a tradition started during former police chief Bill Dickinson’s tenure.

Crain said each officer received at least two new badges in late January. Depending on their assignment, officers wear them above their heart, clip them on their belt, or keep them in a billfold.

“We always wear [our badges] with pride,” Crain said.

“[This new one] deepens the sense of community and to have one designed internally is a cool thing.”

For more about Sequim Police Department, visit sequimwa.gov or call 360-683-7227.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Sequim Police Department’ new badges were introduced earlier this month to Sequim City Council. Officers will either wear the badges above their hearts, on their belts, or in billfolds depending on their assignment.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Since 1913, Sequim Police Department has had four badges and patches, including one badge only worn in 2013 for Sequim’s Centennial Celebration. A new, fifth badge was designed and agreed upon by officers over the last three years and recently integrated into uniforms in late January 2023.