Miami-Dade Police Department Trademarks Logo

The real-life Miami Dade Police Department recently began to consider trade-marking its badge and logo in order to protect the department from its increasing Hollywood exposure.

The MDPD has received a lot of attention due to the popularity of Miami-based shows such as CSI: Miami and the upcoming movie adaptation of the 80s cop show Miami Vice. For that reason, the department is considering copywriting its badge and logo. "It's a way of getting a handle of who is using the image and preventing anyone from using [it] inappropriately," Lt. Cmdr. Linda O'Brien said.

The MDPD isn't the first to come up with the idea to trademark their logo and badge. The New York and Los Angeles police departments long ago copyrighted their logos and currently fine those who use their labels without permission. Though the NYPD focuses more on the prevention of counterfeited merchandise, the LAPD and MDPD primarily look to stop the negative portrayal of their police officers in television shows and movies.

But the MDPD is not bothered by the increased exposure Hollywood has placed on it. The department currently reviews every CSI: Miami script in search for innacuracies and allows the actors and crew members to interview their officers. Lt. Bill Schwartz admitted the shows and movies are good publicity for the department. "[Miami Vice] it did a lot of good things for Miami-Dade. Everyone outside of Miami knew those brown-and-green uniforms."

To read the original article, visit the Sun-Sentinel.

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