Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Introduces New Uniform Patch

ROCHESTER, Minn. - The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) recently completed a redesign of its uniform patch, which features several meaningful elements tied to Olmsted County and OCSO’s history. The old patch featured the former Minnesota State Seal, so when Minnesota redesigned its seal, OCSO began the process of creating a new patch that represents our office and the county we serve.

Funds for the project are being used from our existing and future budgets with gradual implementation.

Below is more information on the different elements included in the patch.

• Patch Colors: Brown and gold are the colors declared by Minnesota State Statute 626.88. The statute does allow for county sheriff’s offices' primary colors to be blue, brown or green. All Minnesota sheriff’s offices have adopted the common brown and tan with a gold trim as their primary uniform. The blue within the coat of arms matches the thin blue line and also pays homage to the last two versions of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office patch which had the shape of Olmsted County in blue behind the badge.
• The Thin Blue Line is a term that typically refers to peace officers as the line between order and chaos in society. The thin blue line is positioned outside the thin silver line because the thin blue line traditionally serves in our communities while the thin silver line is inside our facility.
• The Thin Silver Line (Gray Line) is representative of corrections deputies. It is meant to symbolize all agents of the justice system, including jailers/detention deputies, bailiffs, and parole/probation officers. The thin silver line is positioned inside the thin blue line because the thin silver line serves inside our facility while the thin blue line traditionally serves in our communities.
• Patch Shape: Shield is a broad piece of defensive armor carried on the arm and something or someone that protects and defends.
• Coat of Arms/Former OCSO Badge Shape: Historically, a shield forms the main or focal element in a coat of arms. Instead of the traditional shield shape, we decided to use one of our previous badge shapes for our coat of arms. Most coats of arms consist of four to six symbols that demonstrate the individual, family, store, or organization. Our new patch features four symbols significant to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office and the county we serve.
• Shape of Olmsted County: Olmsted County is one of 87 counties in the State of Minnesota, located in southeast Minnesota.
• Established Date: In 1855, the territorial legislature created Olmsted County, named after David Olmsted, who was the first mayor of St. Paul.
• Shape of Minnesota: Olmsted County is one of 87 counties in the State of Minnesota.
• Farm/Agriculture Symbol: The silo and barn represent the rural and agricultural areas of Olmsted County. Minnesota is home to some of the nation's largest agricultural, food production and distribution companies – many with a global reach. It is stated Minnesota farmers feed the world!
• Medical Symbol: The scepter and snakes are the universal symbol of the medical profession. Olmsted County is home to Olmsted Medical Center and the world-renowned Mayo Clinic.
• Scales of Justice: A universal symbol of the criminal justice system, commonly held by Ms. Liberty or depicted in this manner. Our Office is but one element in the overall criminal justice system with powers to arrest and the power to incarcerate. These powers are granted by the US and Minnesota constitutions and related statutes, rules, and court orders.