GPD: 30-year change welcomed
Officers at the Gallup Police Department recently began wearing new badges that are as unique as the community they serve. The badges set the Gallup officers apart from cops elsewhere.
The new symbols of local law enforcement display a silver background with the new official city of Gallup Thunderbird design along with the flags of the United States and New Mexico. On the borders of the patch, are the words: “Strength, Honor and Courage.” The words Gallup Police are included on the patch, too. The entire patch is in the shape of an arrowhead.
Personnel at the Gallup Police Department started wearing the newly designed patches on May 1. Gallup police who work patrol wear the new patches on their uniform shirts. There are 30 officers who routinely work patrol and five Community Service Aide’s. Gallup detectives and narcotics agents typically don’t wear the new patches.
“Members of the department have tried to push for a change in the patch design,” Marinda Spencer, public information officer with GPD, said. “In the past, the majority vote has been not to change the design. But with the new administration, there was little resistance to the idea.”
The old patch bore a white background with a black border. It had an embroidered Thunderbird design with a turquoise color. The design of the old patch was first used back in the 1970s when Manuel Gonzalez was the city chief of police. Spencer noted that when new city police chief Phillip Hart came on board last year the idea for a patch change was brought up. Hart was in favor of a change.
“He put out a call to all department staff for the submission of new designs for our sworn officers and community service aides,” Spencer said. “Seven designs were submitted for officers and three designs for the CSA’s and they were all posted for view. Capt. (Edwin) Yazzie’s design was selected. The design for the CSA’s is the same design that was selected for the sworn officers, but it does not identify them as officers, but as community service aides.”
Spencer said members of the greater McKinley County community have taken notice of the new patch designs and have made some very positive comments.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
