Using a local law enforcement logo for a design

[john1]

Hey guys, Had a call come in this morning from somebody wanting to show their support for a local police department after getting small decals from them after a donation. He wanted a few larger ones made.

I told the customer to send over what he had in mind and we can go from there since i wasn't 100% sure if it was alright to do.

Does anyone know if there is any issues with doing something like this or who i could get in contact with about doing this?

Thanks!

 

[J Hill Designs]

maybe your local law enforcement would be a place to start...Im sure they wouldnt balk over an 'I support _____" decal as long as it doesnt look like they are a pi...err...cop because of the decal

 

[Gino]

I don't quite understand your question.

You want to know if you can use a Law Enforcement logo for a regular customer ?? No offense, but that sounds about as basic as you can get. Call the local Enforcement department and ask them. I highly doubt that someone can go around impersonating a police car at all, unless they're connected with some sort of sister department of Criminal Night-Watch brigades.

 

[john1]

Thanks guys, Just a basic question about a job someone wanted. I had no idea if it was stepping on any toes as someone wanted to support their local police department for whatever reason. The conversation just pretty much said he wanted to support the local county police and have their badge graphic on his rear window with i support somewhere near it.

Thanks

 

[J Hill Designs]

they have those here, but I think you actually have to support (donate) to get them...

 

[john1]

they have those here, but I think you actually have to support (donate) to get them...

Yep, i just called the customer back and that is the case.

He said he donated $X amount and they gave him these little stickers about 2.5" in return and he wanted larger ones made.

I passed on the job anyway so Thanks guys

 

[bob]

I don't quite understand your question.

You want to know if you can use a Law Enforcement logo for a regular customer ?? No offense, but that sounds about as basic as you can get. Call the local Enforcement department and ask them. I highly doubt that someone can go around impersonating a police car at all, unless they're connected with some sort of sister department of Criminal Night-Watch brigades.

But you can. There's no law against it, nor can there be a law against it as long as the 1st amendment is valid. The local constabulary might protest but there's really nothing that they can do about it. This has been settled in courts many times.

Moreover the 'logo' being proprietary to a public organization is necessarily in the public domain.

The only thing you cannot do is display red and/or blue lights. Blinking or fixed other than your own tail lights.

 

[CheapVehicleWrap]

Why don't I get jobs like this!?

Is there any chance you can substitute the outline of a pig as one of the design elements? Somthin subtle.

 

[tsgstl]

Don't know about law enforcement, but we have a limo co. (presidential Limousine) and many (14+) years ago we "manipulated" the presidential seal with his info on it. Not kidding you within 4 days he was contacted and we had to completely change it within 24hours. We are in St. Louis I have no idea how they found out so fast, if I remember correctly it was the Secret Service that called him.

 

[jfiscus]

"Impersonating a police officer" is a very vague law in many jurisdictions. I would warn him against it; have had some people ask for similar things, decline them.

A police chief has contacted me about a customer who contacted him before we printed any; the job was cancelled.