Department Insignia

Last modified: 3/7/2012 5:41 PM

General Information

Door Seal: Mt. Hamilton Style
There were two variations of this door seal used by the Department. From approximately 1959 until 1972, the background of this door seal was silver. From 1972 until 1990, the background was gold.
Insignia of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office has had many different patches, badges and door seals since 1850.
Patches
Patches are one of the most recognizable attributes of a peace officer's uniform. Santa Clara County has had only two known patches worn by it's regular Deputy Sheriff's.
Regular Deputy: Current Style
The current style patch was introduced in 1950. Besides differences in loom runs, the style has not changed since it's introduction. The patch is a shield, with a gold border and blue twill background.
Regular Deputy: Old Style
This patch was worn from the 1940's until 1950. Before that, no known patch was worn by Department members. The patch is a half moon, with a straight edge bottom.
Special Unit Patches: SERT
Sheriff's Emergency Response Team. This patch is currently worn by members of the SERT Team (Tactical/SWAT) and the Hostage Negotiation Team.
Special Unit Patches: Search and Rescue
The members of the Santa Clara County Search and Rescue Unit wear two different patches. On one shoulder they wear the regular Sheriff's Office patch and on the other, they wear the SAR patch.
Reserve Patch: 1980's to 1989
NOTE: Reserve Deputy Sheriffs currently wear the same patches and uniforms as regular Deputy Sheriffs. This patch was worn by Reserve Deputy Sheriff's from the early 1980's to 1989.
Reserve Patch: 1960 to 1980's
This style patch was identical to the variation above, except that the background twill was green.
Reserve Patch: 1950's to 1960
With a completely different look, this patch was worn from the 1950's to 1960. The patch was shaped with a half moon top, met with 45 degree angles from the straight edge bottom.
Reserve Patches: Aero Squadron - 1958 to 1965
A run of only 100 of these patches was made. They were first introduced in October of 1958. The patch is a shield shape, with a green twill background and gold twill boarder.
Sheriff's Posse - 1950's
This patch was round, with a white twill background, and a green twill boarder. Along the top was "SHERIFF'S POSSE" embroidered in gold
Explorer Patches: Explorer - 1988 to 1991
NOTE: The Sheriff's Office no longer has an Explorer Post. They do have a Youth Cadet program however. Youth Cadets wear regular S/O patches on the sleeves of a white uniform shirt and green pants.
Explorer Patches: Explorer - 1980's to 1988
The first patch was of the same design and color scheme, with "EXPLORER" embroidered along the top, with "SANTA CLARA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT." (sic) below the State Seal.
Cadet Patches: Cadet - 1970's
This was the only patch worn by Cadets. It is of identical design to that of the Reserve patch used during the 1970's. The only difference is "CADET" rather than "RESERVE" is embroidered in the silver ribbon.
Door Seals: Current Styles
This door seal was introduced in 1990. The change was made to coincide with the implementation of a County wide change in logos.
Door Seal: 6 Pt. Bear Style
This door seal was introduced in 1988 and was only used for two years. During this time, very few of the patrol cars ever displayed this seal.
Door Seal: Yellow Star
This door seal was the first used by the Department. It was used from 1953 until 1959. No known insignia was used on Department vehicles prior to that date.

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