Input requested

[gapwedge]

Hi there. I'm looking for help and would appreciate your input.

I maufacture theme blankets. One of my most popular blankets bares a firefighting design on it. Many law enforcement officers have asked whether I offer a blanket with a police or LE theme. I currently don't, but have now come up with a design that I think is pretty cool and hope will appeal to LE professionals.

At this point I should mention that this is NOT a spam post. I have nothing to sell you guys at this point. I am the better part of a year away from having a LE blanket available for sale. I am simply looking for some guidance in determining what would appeal to LE officers.

The design I have come up with involves the use of a badge in the design. I know that LE officers work under the authority of thousands of Federal, state, county, city and municipal governmental authorities. Furthermore, many badges I see on line specify a particular rank (e.g., sheriff, chief, detective).

I'm looking for a badge that would have universal or at least wide appeal to the folks who work in LE.

Note that I have found a round medallion I like that has "THIN BLUE LINE" around the edge and a badge in the middle. The badge, however, says "POLICE OFFICER" and "UNITED STATES" on it and has the US eagle insignia in the middle.

Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

What you are asking for is what graphic designers get paid good money to do. Hire one. Or look in catalogs/websites that cater to police/public safety (galls.com) and see some generic police and/or sheriff designs.

[gapwedge]

With all due respect, no, I am most certainly not. I have hired a graphic designerfor this project, but need to instruct her with respect to the perameters and components I want included in the design. Neither she nor I am knowledgable enough of the LE structure and web of governing bodies to know what symbols and words might have universal or the broadest appeal.

While misguided and wronfully accusatory, I appreciate the reply.

Hopefully some of your clearer thinking brethren will be willing to participate in a more helpful manner.

Regards.

[Joeyd6]

Most foirefighter wear firefighter gear and crap 24/7. Most cops don't. If you came in my house, only way you know I was a cop or LEO is to find my shadow boxes with my previous agency badges. No cop clothes on weekend, no blankets, etc....

Just make sure you do a little research. I woudl likely not be buying a blanket with a cop or related print on it unless it was something to do with the National Law Enforceemnt Officers Memorial. Maybe you can call them, get permisison to use the lion and make the blankets, donating a protion to them. I don't want to bring my work home, and don't want anyone around to know what I do.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

With all due respect, no, I am most certainly not. I have hired a graphic designerfor this project, but need to instruct her with respect to the perameters and components I want included in the design. Neither she nor I am knowledgable enough of the LE structure and web of governing bodies to know what symbols and words might have universal or the broadest appeal.

While misguided and wronfully accusatory, I appreciate the reply.

Hopefully some of your clearer thinking brethren will be willing to participate in a more helpful manner.

Regards.

With all due respect to you, just because I am in this field now doesn't mean I don't know what I'm talking about. As the unofficial PIO for my department, I work closely with a few different companies to design challenge coins, department patches, flags and logo'ed knick-knack giveaways. In addition, my wife worked in the graphic design field for several years. I am familiar with that profession and what they can and cannot do. If the person you've hired cannot at least get to a starting point which is where you are now, then I'd look at retaining someone else.

How did the firefighter logo come to be? It didn't spring from nothingness fully realized did it? You must realize that you are in for the same process in this design. If you are asking for one enigmatic emblem that encompasses all of LE, there isn't one. If you are asking what design element would appeal to the broadest segment of the market, that's what market research is for.

Finally, while I may have been blunt, there was nothing remotely accusatory in my response. I'm not a mind-reader, and cannot be held responsible for you not providing complete information in your post, such as the fact that you had already hired a graphic designer, but needed a jumping off point. I will however draw your attention to the sticky at the top of this board: ** BEFORE posting in "Ask-A-Cop" **

Keep in mind, none of the LEO's in this section are obligated to answer your question(s), as they do so voluntarily. If the time is taken to reply, you may or may not be happy with the answer.

There is a wide range of law enforcement personnel on RP, ranging from Municipal, County, State and Federal agencies, therefore, replies may vary. In the end, you should always seek the advice of the agency you are applying for, or contact an attorney in any legal issue.

Lastly, respect works both ways, if you show it, you should receive it on the other hand, if you don't like the answer you receive, and decide to openly criticize the LEO(s) who furnished the information, you will jeopardize your posting privileges on the forum.

This section is intended to help those with sincere questions, but it will by no means be a place to bash, criticize, or abuse LEO's who go out of their way to help answer your question(s).

[Outshined]

I like the pictures of cops with big muscles, and rolled up sleeves. I would love a blanket with my picture on it. Oh wait that's my friend the fireman.

"We fight what you fear"

[mcsap]

Everybody loves a fireman and they love to show who and what they are through jackets , hats , t-shirts etc. All of which they are happy to display both in public and in private because everybody loves a fireman.

NOT everybody loves a cop. Some people downright hate us because of our position of authority and that we have used it to arrest them or a family member. We DON'T tend to wear the jackets, hats , t-shirts etc in public because we don't want to advertise who we are for the safety of our families and ourselves. NOT EVERYONE LOVES A COP

That is why a LE themed blanket would not be an attractive purchase. We would never leave the house with it.

IMNSHO , stick to the fire gear. You'll be better off.

[Outshined]

Everybody loves a fireman and they love to show who and what they are through jackets , hats , t-shirts etc. All of which they are happy to display both in public and in private because everybody loves a fireman.

NOT everybody loves a cop. Some people downright hate us because of our position of authority and that we have used it to arrest them or a family member. We DON'T tend to wear the jackets, hats , t-shirts etc in public because we don't want to advertise who we are for the safety of our families and ourselves. NOT EVERYONE LOVES A COP

That is why a LE themed blanket would not be an attractive purchase. We would never leave the house with it.

IMNSHO , stick to the fire gear. You'll be better off.

I agree, the only people I ever see around here with the shirts and hats proclaiming loudly they are "Law Enforcement officials" or the stupid joke tshirts and such are not, I repeat not, Police Officers.

Now on the other hand , you will personally know that every single fireman in my area is a fireman or woman, because they wear nothing but patch laden jackets with every fireman tshirt known to man underneath. You see them in WalMart and grocery stores just about anywhere you look. If that doesn't convince you, check out their rides in the parking lot, most are thousand dollar vehicles with $8,000 worth of lights.