Under the authority of art. III, secs. 1 and 24, of the Alaska Constitution and in accordance with AS 18.65.020, I restrict the designs used for the uniforms, badges, vehicle markings, decals, and other emblems of the Alaska State Troopers and the Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement to use by the Department of Public Safety for official purposes only. I order that no other state agency or official may use one of those designs, or a similar design, in performing state functions if the design could, upon cursory observation, be mistaken for a design that is restricted to the Department of Public Safety.

Law enforcement officers who have frequent dealings with the public have traditionally found it necessary to carry a badge and wear a uniform as easily recognizable symbols of their authority. In many situations, such as an on-scene arrest, a law enforcement officer may not have time to show a picture identification card to the public.

Other state agencies have found that badges or uniforms are a useful tool in aiding investigations or inspections, especially if the agency has the power to make arrests or issue citations. However, it is a disservice to the public if the designs used for those badges or uniforms by these state agencies are so similar that they can be confused with the designs used by the state's traditional law enforcement officers.

If the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety determines that a design used by another state agency for a uniform, badge, vehicle marking, decal, or other emblem may potentially be confused with a design that I have restricted for use by the Department of Public Safety, I order (1) the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety to so notify the chief executive officer of the other state agency; and (2) the other state agency to discontinue using the design within 30 days after that notification.

This order takes effect immediately.

DATED at Juneau, Alaska, this 31 day of Aug, 1994.

S/S Walter J. Hickel     
Walter J. Hickel         
Governor