Even the Tampa Police Benevolent Association aims to make money off of the Republican National Convention, selling specially-designed police and deputy commemorative badges, pins and coins for the event.
The $65 badges and $10 coins made by a badge maker for the Secret Service and Pentagon can be purchased individually or as a $75 set that includes a lapel pin. The police badge features Tampa City Hall, the city's seal and American and Florida flags while the deputy version includes similar elements in the familiar star shape of a Sheriff's Office badge.
Official law enforcement badge numbers can be engraved on both, and the badges are only available to current, retired and reserve law enforcement officers, said Greg Stout, president of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association.
Both Tampa police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office have approved the badges, but only Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor has authorized them to be worn by sworn Tampa police and reserve officers during the convention, Stout said.
Due to "operational security," the badges are not available to civilian law enforcement employees until after the convention, Stout said. So far, the police association has sold a "couple hundred," he said.
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