3-123 - Rank and Service Insignia

To standardize the display of rank and service insignia to recognize tenure, rank, and position while maintaining uniformity and professionalism in appearance.

Service Stars

1. Service Stars are authorized to be worn at the completion of five years of continuous service with the MPD. Each star designates a five-year increment of continuous service with the MPD.

2. Service Stars are mandatory for the rank of sergeant and above and may be optionally purchased by members.

3. Service Stars shall be worn as follows:

1. Horizontal on the left sleeve of the jacket.
2. Attached three inches up from the bottom of the sleeve cuff.
3. Placed in a row of four across; starting 1 inch from the outside seam.
4. The fifth and subsequent stars shall be centered above the row of four stars.
5. Stars shall be ¾ inch in size with gold embroidery. Sewn on with a point up (facing the length on the arm).

Service Hash Marks

1. Service Hash Marks are authorized to be worn at the completion of five years of continuous service with the MPD. Each Hash Mark designates a five-year increment of continuous service with the MPD.

2. Service Hash Marks are mandatory for the rank of sergeant and above and may be optionally purchased by members.

3. Service Hash Marks shall be worn as follows:

1. Vertical on the left sleeve of the long-sleeve shirt.
2. The first Service Hash Mark shall be attached ¾” up from the top of the sleeve cuff and ¾” from the sleeve gauntlet. Subsequent Hash Marks shall extend vertically up towards the elbow.
3. Two or more Service Hash Marks shall be one continuous strip (not added one by one).
4. Service Hash Marks worn shall be manufactured by ITL, with royal stripe bordered with white on midnight navy twill.
5. Service Hash Marks shall be available only through Police Administration.

Sergeant Insignia

1. Sergeant chevrons and rockers are mandatory.
2. All sergeants shall have triple chevrons sewn on both sleeves of all uniform shirts, sweaters, and jackets, with the exception of the Class ‘A’ uniform.
3. Triple chevrons shall be worn as follows:

1. The triple chevrons shall be centered ¼ inch below the bottom edge of the MPD patch. If short sleeves are not long enough to accommodate the above specifications, all patches may be moved upwards decreasing the required ¾ inch from the top of the sleeve to the top of the MPD patch.

2. The required distance between the patches and chevrons must always be maintained.

4. Sergeant triple chevrons shall be the Hallmark Emblem 787-57; deluxe cloth material with white- bordered royal blue stripes on dark blue. Chevrons shall be 3½ inches wide and 3¾ inches in length.
5. The number of rockers worn shall be determined by time in rank according to the table below.

• 0-5 years: Standard triple chevron
• 6-10 years: Triple chevrons with a single rocker
• 11-15 years: Triple chevron with two rockers
• 16-20 years: Triple chevron with three rockers
• Over 20 years: Triple chevron, three rockers and a star
• The senior Sergeant on Department: Triple chevrons, three rockers and a star inside of a wreath.

6. On the Class ‘A’ Uniform coat, the sergeant’s rank insignia will be gold colored metal miniature military chevrons, with appropriate rockers, affixed to the epaulet and centered on the cross stitched section of the epaulet near the transition line from shoulder to sleeve.

Lieutenant Insignia

1. Lieutenants shall have one gold-colored bar affixed to each collar of the uniform garments. The bar shall be worn in a vertical position and centered between the top and bottom edge of the collar. The front edge of the bar shall be ½ inch from, and parallel with, the front edge of the collar.
2. On the Class ‘A’ Uniform coat the bar shall be worn centered on the shoulder epaulet centered on the cross-stitched section of the epaulet near the transition line from the shoulder to sleeve. On the wrist of each sleeve there shall be one gold stripe.

Chaplain Insignia

1. Chaplains shall have a gold-colored oak leaf affixed to each collar of uniform garments. The leaf shall be centered between the top and bottom edge of the collar and ½ inch from the front edge. The stem of the oak leaf shall point downwards.
2. On the Class ‘A’ Uniform coat, the oak leaf shall be worn centered on the shoulder epaulet centered on the cross stitched section of the epaulet near the transition line from shoulder to sleeve. On the wrist of each sleeve there shall be two gold stripes. On the lapels of the coat, Chaplains shall also display a gold attachment of the appropriate religious symbol (e.g. Cross, Star of David).

Commander Insignia

1. Commanders shall have a gold-colored oak leaf affixed to each collar of uniform garments. The leaf shall be centered between the top and bottom edge of the collar and ½ inch from the front edge. The stem of the oak leaf shall point downwards.
2. On the Class ‘A’ Uniform coat, the oak leaf shall be worn centered on the shoulder epaulet centered on the cross stitched section of the epaulet near the transition line from shoulder to sleeve. On the wrist of each sleeve there shall be two gold stripes. On the lapels if the coat there shall be a gold wreath encircling the word “Commander.”

Inspector Insignia

1. Inspectors shall have one gold-colored eagle affixed to each collar of the uniform garment. The eagle shall be centered between the top and the bottom edges of the collar ½ inch from the front edge.

2. On the Class ‘A’ Uniform coat, the eagle shall be worn centered on the shoulder epaulet centered on the cross stitched section of the epaulet near the transition line from the shoulder to sleeve. On the wrist of each sleeve there shall be two gold stripes. On the lapels of the coat, there shall be a gold wreath encircling the letters “Insp.”

Deputy Chief Insignia

1. Deputy Chiefs shall have two gold-colored stars affixed to each collar of the uniform garments. The stars shall be centered between the top and bottom edges of the collar ½ inch from the front edge.
2. On the Class ‘A’ Uniform coat star shall be worn centered on the shoulder epaulet centered on the cross stitched section of the epaulet near the transition line from the shoulder to sleeve. On the wrist of each sleeve there shall be one thick gold stripe. On the lapels of the coat there shall be a gold wreath encircling the letters “D/C”.

Assistant Chief Insignia

1. The Assistant Chief shall have three gold-colored stars affixed to each collar of uniform garments. The stars shall be worn centered between the top and bottom edges of the collar ½ inch from the front edge.

2. On the Class ‘A’ Uniform coat the stars shall be worn centered on the shoulder epaulet centered on the cross stitched section of the epaulet near the transition line from shoulder to sleeve. On the wrist of each sleeve there shall be one thick gold stripe, one narrow gold stripe and one gold star. On the lapels of the coat there shall be a gold wreath encircling the letters “A/C.”

Chief of Police Insignia

1. The Chief shall have four gold-colored stars affixed to each collar of uniform garments. The stars shall be worn centered between the top and bottom edges of the collar ½ inch from the front edge.

2. On the Class ‘A’ Uniform coat the stars shall be worn centered on the shoulder epaulet centered on the cross stitched section of the epaulet near the transition line from the shoulder to sleeve. On the wrist of each sleeve there shall be one thick gold stripe, two narrow gold stripes and one gold star. On the lapels of the coat there shall be a gold wreath encircling the word “Chief.”

Definitions

Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.