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The City of Pittsburgh officially adopted the Police Badge
design in 1873. The Pittsburgh Police Badge proudly contains
the seal of the City of Pittsburgh. Since Pittsburgh was named
after William Pitt, and William Pitt was the first Earl of
Chatham, the crest on the badge was taken from the Chatham
family’s coat of arms. The castle walls are symbolic for a city
in the heraldic language. The three gold coins, called bezants,
referred to Chatham’s Crusade activity and they represent
honesty with each coin displaying an eagle on it. The tartan or
checkerboard design symbolizes commerce and finance.
The colors black and gold were also part of the Pitt’s family
coat of arms and these colors mean so much to the entire city
today. With so much history behind it, it is easy to
understand why the fine men and women of the Pittsburgh Police
force wear the badge with great pride.
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