Warrant card

Not to be confused with Collar number.

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A warrant card is proof of identification and authority carried by police officers and some other law enforcement officers including immigration officers. The term is normally used only within the United Kingdom and in current and former Commonwealth countries. Many other countries refer to their equivalent of warrant cards simply as police credentials, commission books, or identification cards. In the UK MI5 officers also have warrant cards.^[1]

Warrant cards generally include a photograph of the holder, as well as the holder's name, rank, warrant number and a holographic emblem to mark authenticity. The warrant number is equivalent to a badge number in other police services; it is a unique identifier unlike a collar number (sometimes displayed on the uniform) which may change when transferring between departments or changing rank. A warrant card is sometimes displayed alongside a badge showing the service to which the officer belongs, but is increasingly commonly displayed on one ID card, with the force crest printed on it.

The language on a warrant card usually indicates that the holder is granted authority by a specific official to perform the functions of the office held, and may also indicate training to a particular level. In the UK police personnel authorized to carry firearms may have an endorsement on their warrant card to that effect.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, a warrant card is evidence of a constable's sworn attestation. The power of a constable is in the person and not the warrant card (with the exception of a few services not sworn in by the Police Act 1996 or the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, such as the British Transport Police). A constable still holds the power to make an arrest off-duty and without a warrant card. However, force policy usually dictates police officers in plain-clothes are required to identify themselves and produce their warrant card when they are performing their police duties and exercising their police powers, so long as it is practicable to do so (for example, not necessarily if the person they are arresting is being violent). Generally, police officers are required to produce their warrant card when requested, even in uniform, but only if it is practicable.

Special Constabulary

Special constables are sworn officers as a Crown servant and have the same powers as regular officers. As such, they also carry a warrant card. "Special Constable" may be printed on the card along with, or instead of, "Police Officer".

Service/military police

Service police officers of all ranks also carry a warrant card as issued by their individual service.

Canada

Toronto

Toronto Police officers are issued with warrant cards contained within a wallet. When opened the wallet has a metal badge of the force with the officer's identification number, rank and name.^[2]

Hong Kong

Customs and Excise Department

Main article: Customs and Excise Department (Hong Kong)

C&E issued three types of warrant cards: two are for customs officers^[3] and one is for trade control personnel.^[4]

Smart warrant cards are written in both Chinese and English. The card is yellow in colour for customs officer and grey for trades control personnel. The front of the card contains the name and rank (and UI for customs officer), along with the photo of the individual. The card is covered with a hologram made up of the logo of C&E.

There are 3 different versions of the obverse:

Customs Officer who is wearing a uniform. It bears the following text:
"I hereby certify the person whose name and photograph appear on the obverse of this warrant card is a member of Customs and Excise Service holding an office specified in Schedule 1, Customs and Excise Service Ordinance, Chapter 342, Laws of Hong Kong."

Plain clothes officer. In addition to the above text, it bears the following:
"... and is authorized to carry firearms whilst in plain clothes."

Trades Control Personnel. It bears the following text:
"I (Senior Principal Trade Controls Officer) hereby certify that the officer whose name, rank and photograph appear on the obverse side of this warrant card is an authorized officer for the purpose of the Ordinances listed in the Annex to this Warrant Card."

Police force

Main article: Hong Kong Police Force

Smart Warrant Card has on the front: "Hong Kong Police" (in Chinese and English); the force arms in colour; the name, rank and UI of the warrant card holder; and a photograph. The card is covered with laser wording of "Hong Kong Police" in English and Chinese. On the back, the cards bear the statement: "The person whose photograph and particulars appear on the reverse is a duly appointed member of the Hong Kong Police".

References

↑ Wright, Peter. Spycatcher. Bantam Doubleday. ISBN 978-0440201328.
↑ http://www.waybacktimes.com/collectingpolicebadges.html
↑ Customs disciplined officers to use new smart warrant cards from July 1
↑ Trade Controls Officers of the Customs and Excise Department to use new Smart Warrant Card from December 23

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