The following contains a partial list of police-related items that may not be listed on eBay:

Badges and Identification

• Badges from federal law enforcement agencies

• Badges from the Bureau of Indian Affairs

• Military police badges

• Quasi-law enforcement badges (e.g., fire department badges)

• State or international badges

• ‘Badge patches’, including the National Park Service ’arrowhead‘ patch and US Forest Service patch

• US/Canadian Border Patrol and Customs badges and patches (including shoulder patches)

• Copies or reproductions of police badges. Such badges infringe upon the copyright and trademark rights of the agency that issued the badges.

• Badges in Lucite

• Movie prop badges

• Special event badges (like Inauguration Badges)

• Badges issued by private security companies

• Private investigator badges

• Identification cards

• Credential cases

Note: Sellers may list a law enforcement badge on eBay if:

• The law enforcement organization that issues the badge states in writing that it does not object to the sale of the item, and

• Sellers post a copy of that letter with a valid law enforcement contact (name and phone number) on the site with the badge.

Uniforms

• Official current or recent issue police uniforms and components, including hats or motorcycle helmets

• Official current or recent issue Canadian military uniforms

• Raid jackets

• US/Canadian Border Patrol and Customs uniforms

• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) uniforms and components

Other Items or Devices

• Emergency vehicle lighting and sirens

• Traffic light control devices

There are a limited number of police items that may be listed on the site, provided they abide by any noted guidelines.

Badges and Identification

• Mini-badges (size approximately 1 inch by 1 inch)

• Historical badges that do not resemble modern law enforcement badges (a sheriff's badge from the 19th century), provided that the item description must clearly state that the badge is a historical piece at least 75 years old or issued by a now-defunct organization

• Badges that are clearly not official (e.g., plastic or cartoon badges)

Uniforms

Obsolete police uniforms that in no way resemble current issue police uniforms. This fact must be clearly stated within the listing description.

Other Items or Devices

• Riot shields

• Duty belts and their accessories

• Authorized general souvenir items, such as hats, mugs, pins, pens, buttons, cuff links, t-shirts, money clips that do not resemble badges, and paperweights that do not contain badges

  Note:  Although police-related items, such as uniforms and badges, from now-defunct organizations are generally permitted, eBay may at its discretion remove those that resemble current issue items.

eBay has spoken to over 500 federal, state, and international law enforcement organizations regarding their position on the sale of police-related items to the public. These organizations were concerned that individuals may use a badge or other police-related item to misrepresent themselves as a law enforcement officer to the public. In many cases, state and federal laws prohibit unauthorized individuals from even possessing a law enforcement badge. For example, one federal law specifically prohibits "the manufacture, sale(s), or possession of any federal badge without the specific authority of the head of the issuing department or agency of the US government...." 18 U.S.C. 701. Based upon this information eBay has decided not to permit the listing of police related items as described above.