BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Police are reversing their policy of allowing its officers to wear only a badge number instead of their name on their uniforms and overcoats.
The change was announced during a meeting Monday of the Buffalo Police Oversight Committee and comes at the directive of Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
Following a summer of unrest, Mayor Byron Brown said last September officers could just wear a badge number as a way to cut down on attempts by members of the public to inappropriately contact officers.
The reversal comes with the caveat that officers will be able to remove their names from their uniforms if assigned to cover a protest.
"It's going to be velcro where if we get to the point where there's civil unrest, they'll be able to have just a badge number on instead of the nametag. They'll be able to remove it during civil unrest," says Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
Captain Jeff Rinaldo tells 2 On Your Side the change will take effect as soon as the department's uniform supplier can make the alterations.
The Buffalo Police Benevolent Association released the following statement Monday:
“Once again the men and women of the Buffalo Police Department have to learn about potential changes to a policy that could impact their safety, on and off the job, through the media rather than through the department’s top brass.
“The fact is that the Buffalo PBA has not received any notification related to potential changes in the current policy about wearing name badges on their uniforms. The department’s decision several months ago to remove name badges and revert to using badge numbers was due to officers and their families being physically threatened by protesters and members of fringe groups unsupportive of the men and women of the Buffalo Police.
“Unfortunately, the Mayor and police top brass are allowing themselves to be intimidated and placating to the interests of these fringe groups who have no desire to protect the men and women of the Buffalo Police and their families. And officers’ names are still currently provided on various items, including citations and appearance tickets provided to suspects.
“Regardless, when and if such a change in this or any policy is going to be further considered, the PBA should have a seat at the table with police brass and the administration to discuss it. In the meantime, the Police Commissioner should be more focused on how to better address the dramatic increase in crime in the city over the past year, including shootings and homicides.”