In most movies, they use actual LAPD issue badges. You would think that in a film such as SWAT they would too, however they instead use cheap security guard looking badges. Why? One would expect more from such a big flick that was produced by a major studio. At least they got they actual LAPD patches though.
shareI think the LAPD badge is trademarked so they'd have to pay to use it. Interestingly the LA city seal on the police cars is also differnt from the one in real life.
shareIf you're into ultra-dry legal-ease here's all you ever wanted to know, but didn't know you wanted to know it, about the LAPD, trademarking and intellectual property rights. Happy reading.
Gus
"It needs more cow-bell"
It is against the law. It would count as impersonating a police officer.
shareThat's not impersonating a police officer, impersonating a police officer is going out in the street flashing a badge a saying you're a cop when you are really not. This is a movie and you can "pretend" to be a cop for sole intents of theatrical purposes. I mean look at ADAM 12, the Lethal Weapon series, the Rush Hour Series, Dragnet, etc., etc.,etc. they all used authentic LAPD badges or at least replicas of the same.
shareThey can't use AUTHENTIC badges you stupid *beep*. And the replicas has to have minor mistakes to make them fake.
shareOh, I've only been in law enforcement so many years not to know the truth. Do a little research and some history dingleberry. In ADAM-12 THE BADGES WERE AUTHENTIC ISSUED BADGES BY THEN LAPD CHIEF. THE BADGES WERE RETURNED TO THE LAPD AFTER THE SERIES WAS ENDED. NEXT TIME FIND OUT THE TRUTH BEFORE YOUR OPEN YOUR MOUTH DINGBAG.
shareJesus man, calm the hell down.
shareleogetz900: Oh, I've only been in law enforcement so many years not to know the truth....
Wow, and YOU passed your psychological exam? Scary. YOU are who give us a bad name. Chill man.
Actually you can use real badges as long as in rel life you try not to portray a real police officer. Much like military uniforms, contrary to popular belief, you can use actual uniforms and insignias, they do not have to be altered. As long as they are not used to deceive or portray an image that would make them appear to be real.
shareWearing a military uniform if you've never been in would probably wind up with you having no teeth though ;)
shareBecause the director said "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!!!"
share"Wearing a military uniform if you've never been in would probably wind up with you having no teeth though ;)"
Former USMC here, if it's for a movie, no problem. If you walk into a bar with it on expecting something for it... game on!
@ LanSi
you had to post something, right?
Its not illegal to dress up as a cop and put on a gun and a badge while filming a movie you moron!!
Thats what they are trying to do! They are personificating a LEO while making a movie.
Once YOU (or the average Joe) dresses up in a POLICE t-shirt and gets into his crown victoria and attempts to pull people over, THEN you are impersonating a police officer.
This. Read some law. There are specific exceptions for theater and film use of uniforms, blank-firing firearms, etc. Really.
shareDespite the exceptions for theater and film, no production company whatsoever can use authentic or even reproduction LAPD badges due to LAPD having trademark and intellectual rights on their property which they've had since 1940. Someone, smartly, thought back then to trademark their badge knowing it would be a hit. The same restrictions would apply if a production company said "To heck with Coca-Cola, we'll make their can and logo ourselves!" They can't do that any more than they could make an LAPD badge.
However, as previously stated, small changes made to a badge renders it out of the legal confines of the trademark. For example, on Rigg's badge in Lethal Weapon, the ribbon where "Los Angeles Police" should be is merely "LAPD," that makes the badge safe to use for theatrical purposes. On NBC, Columbo used a simple regular "eagle topped" badge as his LAPD badge, but in the later ABC run of "Columbo," he displayed a regular LAPD badge, BUT with an entirely uncolored city seal, unlike actual LAPD badges which have a colored seal. Again, another small change to bring them into legality.
The reason they did not utilize either of these ideas on "S.W.A.T." is probably due to a nervous producer who did not want to risk any legal issues or a court case that said even the minor changes utilized in the past still violated trademark law.
As for "Dragnet" and "Adam-12," what the previous poster said was true. They are authentic and genuine LAPD badges issued by the Chief of Police of the Los Angeles Police Department. However, they weren't just returned at the end of the series, they were actually brought to every filming by LAPD Lieutenant Daniel Cook. The badges were always within his sight and supervision and he took them back after each day of filming, as well as during breaks and lunch. When the camera wasn't on them, he had them. Only ONE civilian has ever legally possessed an LAPD badge, that was Jack Webb. His Sergeant badge (714) is currently mounted in crystal at LAPD headquarters when it was returned to the LAPD upon his death in 1982. He was also buried with full LAPD honors.
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