Law enforcement officers are special people who do an amazing job protecting us every single day. They dress in special clothes and take the hardest approach to protecting our towns and cities. These brave men and women hold the vital jobs that help keep us all safe and happy.
One neat way cops communicate to each other they care is through what are known as challenge coins. These are not the casual coins you have in your piggy bank. These are extremely special coins that have some sort of significance to police officers.
When an officer receives a challenge coin, it’s because their colleagues are saying "thank you" for their courage, kindness and hard work. A challenge coin is kind of like a sticker or a badge that shows you've done a really good job.
These little coins have cool logos and sayings that represent what their law enforcement squad is about. Some coins may have a police badge embossed on them, different coins may feature images of police officers assisting citizens. They each tell a story of those who guard our community.
Soldiers began giving something called a coin a long time ago to prove they were part of a unit. This seemed like a great idea to police officers, and they began creating their own coins. The officer challenges another officer with a coin which means they are friends that cares for one another.
These coins are used by police officers to lift each other up and build each other up. If an officer does something exceptional, like assisting someone in distress or solving a vexing issue, they can receive a challenge coin. This makes the officer feel good and ensures that the office friends think they are wonderful.
These are not just little disks of metal with cool designs on them. They’re a way for police officers to show how much respect and care they have for each other. When an officer becomes his or her challenge coin, they remember everything good that they do to help people and keep our communities safe."