NYPD shoulder patch

The NYPD patch is modeled after the seal of the City of New York and has been is use since July 1,1971.

The patch contains the following elements:

• In the upper center of the patch is a set of scales representing Justice
• Below the scales is an inverted chevron containing five stars representing the five boroughs of the city
• In the center of the patch is a shield bearing the crossed arms of a windmill representing the city's Dutch heritage
• Above the shield is an eagle with its wings spread standing on an arc of the globe, representing the America federal govenment
• To the right of the shield is a native American holding a bow representing the region's first peoples
• To the left of the scales is a British sailor holding a sounding lead on a rope used to test water depths