Citizens may see some NOPD officers wearing a slightly different badge through the coming weekend, as the special Pride edition NOPD badge will return in recognition of the 48th annual Southern Decadence.

This year’s Southern Decadence will be held August 29 through September 2, with most of the weekend’s events taking place in the French Quarter.

Commissioned NOPD officers are permitted to wear the optional badge as part of their uniform now through Sept. 2.

The special edition badge, which featured a rainbow-colored star, was originally introduced in June of this year in recognition of Pride Month. The badge was made available as an option for officers to purchase and wear, if they so choose. Officers are also permitted to wear the special edition badge during future Pride Month and Southern Decadence celebrations.

The NOPD was one of the only major police departments in America to allow its officers to wear these special badges earlier this year during Pride Month. It joined New Orleans EMS in making local First Responder Pride-edition badges available for use by its ranks.

NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson has said that these special badges represent the NOPD’s commitment to diversity within its own ranks as well as within the community, celebrating that diversity and working with all members of the community – including its LGBTQ+ allies – to make New Orleans the greatest city in the world.

“The NOPD supports a non-discriminatory, respectful and accepting society where people of all backgrounds, lifestyles and beliefs can live, work and play together,” Ferguson said. “Utilizing these badges to help convey that support is another example of how the NOPD is leading the way in modern day policing in America.”