Northamptonshire Police to go back to Star of Bath badge last used 20 years ago

Chief Constable Adrian Lee said the force was to restore the Star of Bath badge, which was replaced by the current logo in 1995, as the official emblem of Northamptonshire Police.

The chief constable said the new badge would be phased in over time to “minimise cost”.

A recent staff survey found overwhelming support (88 per cent in favour) for restoring the original logo which was designed by an in-house team.

Mr Lee said: “Changing our force logo back to this important and historical emblem better symbolises the office of Constable and restores a sense of identity that many officers and staff have longed for.

“Restoring the badge will be phased in over time to minimise cost. However, there are a number of areas where the change can be made with no direct cost and over the next few weeks and months you will start to see the emblem appear on Force systems, documents and marketing materials.

“We will also be re-launching our guidelines which give clear guidance about the use of the logo/emblem and provide templates for various documents such as reports, presentations and letters.”

Northamptonshire Police’s original Arms and Emblems held by the Force prior to 1994 (the Star of Bath surmounted by St. Edwards Crown encircling a red Tudor rose) were replaced by the current logo by the then Chief Constable Sir Ted Crew.

The Star of Bath has been approved by Her Majesty the Queen as the standard badge for law enforcement in the United Kingdom and many of her other realms and territories.

Created in 1725 as a knighthood of chivalry, the Order of Bath and its eight-point star represent the performance of public duties that have merited royal favour.

As police officers are direct servants of Her Majesty, the Star of Bath has been appointed by the Sovereign to represent the vocation for more than 100 years.