More from the OpEd...

... Union Executive Director Andrew Matthews said the union gives donors "the badge out of our generosity."

Law enforcement badges should not be gifts. They signal the presence and authority of a police officers. Providing them to police donors is a prescription for trouble. They represent power and they can misrepresent power in the wrong hands.

The brass badge says "trustee" above "Connecticut" over the state seal. under the seal are the words "state police union." All the lettering is in blue capital letters.

The identification card includes the name Connecticut State Police Union, the state seal, a member number, the member's name, the year the card is issued, and a photograph of the badge. ...