This is a better description of our emblem than the previous post. It comes compliments of Rhode Island Sheriff's Lodge #24.
Vice President Instruction in the Mysteries of the Emblem:
My friend(s), this Emblem, as adopted by the Fraternal Order of Police, will always remind you of the duties that are expected of you as a citizen, a police officer, and a member of this Order. First, the five-cornered star, the same that is found in our National Emblem, and tends to reminds us of the allegiance we owe to our Flag.
The star is also the symbol of authority with which you, like all police officers, are more or less invested. This authority conferred upon you by the people is a token of honor, for in this act they recognize in you a man (or women) of ability and power, and equal to the task set before you; they also place in you their confidence and trust. Let us hope that you will never abuse this confidence or betray this trust, and that your actions will always be such as to command an honorable opinion of all those with whom you come in contact.
Midway between the points and center of the Star is a blue field. The points are of gold, which indicates the position under which we are now serving; the background is white, white being the virgin or unstained color, representing purity; among our many efforts, one is to allow nothing of a corrupt nature to be injected into our Order; therefore blue, gold and white are our colors. In the three uppermost blue fields are the letters F.O.P., which is the monogram of our Order, the “FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE.”
In the blue field, in the lower left-hand corner is the open eye, the eye of vigilance, the ever-watchful eye, which notes the danger, and offers protection to the public, asleep or awake. In the blue field, in the lower right-hand corner, is the handclasp, which denotes friendship. This, my friend(s), is a very important item. The hand of friendship always has its effect and should always be extended to a worthy Brother (or Sister). The hand of friendship with good advice and a few kind words, often has a wonderful influence; in many cases it relieves a burden, cheers, a heart, strengthens the ability, renews the determination, and sets aright the footsteps of an erring Brother or Sister.
The circle surrounding the Star midway, indicates our never ending and never tiring efforts to promote the welfare and advancement of this Order, and within its bounds we are all a one great and powerful unit. In a half circle over the centerpiece is our motto, written in Latin, Jus, Fides, Libertatum, which translated means Law is a safeguard of Freedom. In the center of the Star is the seal of Fort Pitt. This, my friend(s) tends to remind us of where the first efforts were put forth to establish this highly necessitated Order.