EMT/MEDIC/ EMS Badges

[paramedicmike]

To quote a former Chief of my agency. "We do not have shields, we do not need them. Shields are something to hide behind. We have BADGES. Badge are a symbol of your authority and we wear ours proudly."

What type of authority did your former chief think he had?

[FormerEMSLT297]

This was a Police Chief, who said this, not a Fire or EMS Chief.....

[paramedicmike]

Roger that.

As soon as I submitted that question I wondered if that was the case.

[usiems]

if every past case of an arrest on those charges was tossed, isnt it ripe for a civil suit (malicious prosecution etc) if the nypd persists in making these unsupportable arrests? I think in order to protect against that, a directive was probably issued telling officers to stop with the arrests already since there hasnt been any recent (5 years?) cases that i know of. just trying to gather info here, not making conclusions

Thew bottom line is with regards to a shield in NYC. The NYC Administrative law can be used against you by any police officer who wantsa to lock you up for it. So, I ask the following question:

1. Is it worth it to potentially get hassled for having and or wearing a shield that you need to go out and buy yourself ???

2. Why take the chance ????

I you want to treat yourself becasue you feel that becoming an EMT is an accomplishment, then i get it.

Here are some good options:

1. Go out and treat yourself to a really nice jumpsuit that will keep you worm duringthose cold winter months when you run calls in the middle of the night.

or 2. Go out an treat yourself to a really bright yellow relective EMS coat to really PROTECT you when running highway calls. You can feel free to plaster EMT patches all over it.

good luck with ther whole shield thing.

To quote a former Chief of my agency. "We do not have shields, we do not need them. Shields are something to hide behind. We have BADGES. Badge are a symbol of your authority and we wear ours proudly."