Cross to stay on London police force badge

Cross to stay on London police force badge

LONDON — The idea of removing the cross from the badge of London’s police force has been dropped.

The police badge is surmounted by a crown with a tiny cross on the top, and it had been suggested to remove the cross in order to avoid offending the sensibilities of non-Christian recruits.

But the head of the Metropolitan Police, Commissioner Sir John Stevens, said Aug. 14 that following informal consultations with the Metropolitan Police Authority, the body of local officials and magistrates that oversees London’s police force; the Metropolitan Police Federation (which represents police officers up to the rank of inspector); and the Superintendents’ Association, he had concluded there would be no change to the insignia.