Warrant card
Encyclopedia
A warrant card is proof of identification and authority carried by police officer
s. 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 credential
s, commission books, or identification cards
.
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 usually displayed alongside a badge showing the service to which the officer belongs.
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.
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 (i.e. not if the person they are arresting is being violent). Normally, police officers in uniform are not required to produce their warrant card.
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:
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 bears the statement: "The person whose photograph and particulars appear on the reverse is a duly appointed member of the Hong Kong Police".
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
s. The term is normally used only within the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and in current and former Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
countries. Many other countries refer to their equivalent of warrant cards simply as police credential
Credential
A credential is an attestation of qualification, competence, or authority issued to an individual by a third party with a relevant or de facto authority or assumed competence to do so....
s, commission books, or identification cards
Identity document
An identity document is any document which may be used to verify aspects of a person's personal identity. If issued in the form of a small, mostly standard-sized card, it is usually called an identity card...
.
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
Collar number
A collar number, also known as a shoulder number, Force Identification Number or occasionally as Force Number , identifies uniformed officers, Police Community Support Officers , and some police staff in UK police forces. Although now displayed on epaulettes A collar number, also known as a...
(sometimes displayed on the uniform) which may change when transferring between departments or changing rank. A warrant card is usually displayed alongside a badge showing the service to which the officer belongs.
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.
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 (i.e. not if the person they are arresting is being violent). Normally, police officers in uniform are not required to produce their warrant card.
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.Customs and Excise Department
C&E issued 3 types of warrant cards: 2 are for customs officers and one is for trade control personnel.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:
- Plain clothes officer. In addition to the above text, it bears the following:
- Trades Control Personnel. It bears the following text:
Police force
Smart Warrant Card has on the front: "Hong Kong Police" (in Chinese and English); the force armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
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 bears the statement: "The person whose photograph and particulars appear on the reverse is a duly appointed member of the Hong Kong Police".